A huge landslide triggered by climate change rocked the Earth for 9 days

This tsunami caused the fjord to oscillate for several days, forming a phenomenon known as “seiche”. The movements of these masses of water generated unusual seismic waves, recorded all over the world, from Greenland to Antarctica, emitting a curious harmonic hum.

Surprised by these signals, the seismologists collaborated with researchers from different disciplines. An international team in which the IPGP is involved (see below), made up of 68 scientists from 40 institutions and 15 countries, was set up to investigate this event. They combined various sources of data: seismic recordings, infrasound sensors, satellite images and tsunami simulations. Photographs of the region taken by the Danish army a few days after the collapse were also used to assess the damage.

The investigation revealed that the collapse of the mountain, which was once 1.2 km high, was due to glacial retreat caused by climate change. The volume of collapsed rock was titanic, equivalent to 10,000 Olympic swimming pools or 220,000 semi-trailers – a line of lorries stretching 3,700 km! The resulting tsunami was one of the most impressive seen in recent years. Seventy kilometres from the site of the collapse, four-metre waves damaged a research base and destroyed several archaeological and cultural sites.

Dickson Fjord, usually frequented by cruise ships, was fortunately deserted at the time of the tsunami. The findings of this study highlight the link between natural events occurring in isolated areas and their repercussions on a global scale. They also highlight the central role of climate change in such disasters, reminding us of the importance of better anticipating these events to protect populations and ecosystems.