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Climate Change Triggers Landslide, Sending Shockwaves Across the Globe for 9 Days

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Greenland Landslide Sparks Nine Days of Global Tremors, Study Reveals

A Catastrophic Collapse Triggered by Climate Change

In September 2023, a massive landslide in East Greenland sent shockwaves across the globe for nine consecutive days. The landslide, caused by glacier melting linked to climate change, triggered an earthquake and a 200-meter-high tsunami in a narrow fjord, according to a new study.

The landslide, originating from a 1.2-kilometer-high mountain peak, caused seismic tremors that reverberated throughout Earth’s crust. These ongoing vibrations baffled scientists, who initially struggled to explain the unusual seismic activity.

Damage and Global Impact

Though no one was injured, the event caused significant damage to infrastructure at an unoccupied research station on Ella Island, costing approximately $200,000. The study, conducted by an international team of researchers, including scientists from University College London, revealed that the landslide was a direct result of glacier thinning. As the glacier weakened, the mountain rock-face above it could no longer be supported, leading to the collapse.

Unprecedented Seismic Activity

The seismic signals recorded were unlike anything seen before. Stephen Hicks, co-author of the study and a researcher from University College London, expressed his astonishment: “When I first saw the seismic signal, I was completely baffled. We’ve never recorded such a long-lasting, globally traveling seismic wave with only a single frequency of oscillation.”

The researchers used a combination of field data, satellite imagery, and computer models to reconstruct the event. Their findings, published in the journal Science, revealed how the narrow fjord amplified the sloshing of water, allowing it to continue for nine days without dissipating. This relentless back-and-forth motion sent vibrations deep into the Earth’s crust, affecting seismic sensors worldwide.

Modeling the Tsunami’s Power

Using a mathematical model, the team recreated the landslide and the fjord’s unique structure to understand how the water movement sustained for so long. The simulation closely matched the real-world tsunami, including the height of the waves and the frequency of the seismic vibrations that circled the globe every 90 seconds.

Warning of Future Events

As climate change continues to accelerate glacier melting, such destructive landslides could become more frequent, the researchers warned. Co-author Alice Gabriel from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography emphasized the changing dynamics of Earth:
“Climate change is shifting what is typical on Earth, and it can set unusual events into motion.”

This study highlights how the interconnected impacts of climate change on glaciers, oceans, and land masses can create cascading hazards, with potentially far-reaching consequences.

Global Order Faces Unprecedented Threats Not Seen Since Cold War

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Rising Geopolitical Instability

The international order is facing a level of threat not seen since the Cold War, according to the heads of the UK’s MI6 and the US CIA. In a joint op-ed published in the Financial Times, Sir Richard Moore and William Burns outlined the growing challenges, citing an assertive Russia, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and rising geopolitical tensions.

They highlighted their agencies’ shared efforts in countering Russian aggression and supporting Ukraine, saying, “Successfully combating this risk is at the foundation of the special relationship between the UK and the US.”

Ukraine: The Unfolding Conflict

As the war in Ukraine extends into its third year, the intelligence chiefs described it as one of the most significant threats facing the global order. Burns acknowledged Ukraine’s recent territorial gains in the Kursk region as a “tactical victory,” while both men stressed the importance of continued Western support for Kyiv, despite fears of escalation from Moscow. Burns also warned of the risks posed by Russia’s covert operations in Europe, emphasizing the need for resilience against sabotage and disinformation campaigns.

The Middle East and China: Other Critical Fronts

The MI6 and CIA leaders also focused on broader global challenges, such as the rise of China, which they described as the “main geopolitical challenge of the century.” Both agencies have restructured to prioritize this growing threat, while also working to push for de-escalation in the Middle East amid ongoing violence in Gaza.

The intelligence chiefs concluded their remarks by underscoring the necessity of international cooperation to safeguard global stability, noting that the stakes have never been higher.