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A colossal landslide in Greenland in 2023 generated a “silent” megatsunami that vibrated across the planet without being seen, leaving a worrying warning about the effects of climate change
In September 2023, Earth experienced a phenomenon as rare as it was impressive: a 200-meter megatsunami created by a massive landslide of rock and ice in Greenland. The event, which took place in the remote Dickson Fjord, left no visible traces but was detected by scientific instruments around the world.
The episode was detailed in the journal Science by an international team of 66 scientists from 40 institutions in 15 countries. They revealed that the vibrations caused by the tsunami traveled across the planet for nine consecutive days, continuously and almost imperceptibly.
The Tsunami That No One Saw But Everyone Felt
Unlike earthquakes, which tend to generate sharp tremors, the megatsunami produced a constant seismic hum, compared to a unique and prolonged sound echoing underground. Initially classified as “UFO” (unidentified seismic object), the signal intrigued specialists until it was traced back to Greenland.
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Investigations showed that a mass equivalent to 10,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools of rock and ice collapsed from a steep slope, accelerating through a narrow ravine before hitting the fjord. The impact triggered not only a giant tsunami but also a seiche, a swinging wave that traversed the fjord about 10,000 times over the nine days.
Climate Change: Fuel for Invisible Disasters
According to scientists Stephen Hicks (University College London) and Kristian Svennevig (Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland), the episode was the result of a combination of factors. The main one: global warming.
The glacier that supported the slope had lost dozens of meters of thickness, leaving the ground unstable. When the landslide occurred, the energy released was colossal. This type of phenomenon, previously considered unlikely in regions of Greenland, may become increasingly frequent as permafrost melts and ice continues to disappear.
The Earth in Transformation: A Warning for the Future
The case in Greenland was the first of its kind recorded in the eastern part of the island, which was previously thought to be stable against megaslides. But the warning goes further: regions in western Greenland and Alaska already show imminent risk of similar disasters.
Researchers emphasize that current science needs new tools and protocols to detect and monitor extreme events. The “invisible tsunami” of 2023 showed that climate change does not only alter the climate and oceans but also the Earth’s crust itself.
Experts say the planet is entering an era where extreme phenomena are becoming more common. The stability of slopes, fjords, and glaciers can be unpredictably disrupted, demanding increased attention from the scientific community and global public policies.
If a gigantic tsunami can shake the entire Earth without anyone seeing it, what other “invisible” dangers could global warming still hide?
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