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Tsunamis are powerful natural events that can change the shape of an entire coast. Modern technology can now help scientists study them in astonishing detail. The ability to
Tsunamis are powerful natural events that can change the shape of an entire coast. Modern technology can now help scientists study them in astonishing detail. The ability to monitor and analyze these giant waves in real time has fundamentally changed our understanding of their behavior and impacts and provided invaluable data that can be used for safety protocols and forecast models.
This technological feat helped reveal the echo of the nine-day tsunami in Greenland, a rare and complex event captured by the international SWOT satellite. The satellite’s advanced imaging capabilities have made a significant contribution to the field of oceanography by providing unprecedented information about how tsunami waves travel and are deposited on the steep walls of Dixon Fjord.
At the center of this research were scientists from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and France’s CNES (Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales). These dedicated professionals collaborated on the International Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite mission. Their joint efforts led to the discovery of unique forms formed by tsunamis trapped in the steep walls of Greenland’s Dixon Fjord.
On September 17, 2023, the day after a massive rockslide, the SWOT satellite was in the right place at the right time, collecting water height measurements in Dixon Fjord. By comparing these measurements with those recorded a few weeks ago, scientists obtained a clear picture of the effects of the tsunami.
The SWOT satellite captured a colorful visualization of the data showing higher water levels in lighter colors and lower levels in darker tones. The results showed that the northern side of the fjord reached certain points where the water level was almost 1.2 meters higher than the southern side.
Amazingly, the SWOT satellite was able to study the shape of a tsunami wave for the first time.
“The SWOT flew in at a time when water had accumulated quite high against the northern wall of the fjord,” said Josh Willis, a sea level researcher at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. “Seeing the waveform was something we could never do before SWOT.”
An article published recently Science, We traced the seismic signals of the tsunami to their origin. More than 880 million cubic meters of rock and ice, equivalent to 25 million cubic metres, fell into Dixon Fjord, causing a tsunami that wreaked havoc around the fjord.
Part of a network of canals off Greenland’s east coast, the fjord is approximately 1,772 feet (540 meters) deep and 1.7 miles (2.7 kilometers) wide, with its walls rising to heights of more than 6,000 feet (1,830 meters). Interestingly, due to the fjord’s remoteness and limited location from the open ocean, opportunities for dissipation of energy from tsunami action were limited.
This caused the wave to move back and forth every 90 seconds for an astonishing nine days. These discoveries show how modern technology can help us unravel the mysteries of nature. Thanks to its unique capabilities, the International SWOT satellite was able to give us a new understanding of tsunamis and their long-term effects.
The SWOT satellite’s ability to acquire and analyze detailed water elevation data demonstrates the tremendous potential of satellite technology in natural disaster monitoring. Unlike traditional ground-based sensors, satellites provide a complete view of remote locations such as Greenland fjords. This capability is critical to capturing the impacts of a natural disaster and building predictive models for better preparedness.
The event, which took place in Dixon Fjord in September 2023, demonstrated how satellite images evolved over nine days to detect the movement of tsunami waves, offering information not previously available. Such data informs disaster response and risk reduction efforts by improving our understanding of energy dynamics in landlocked regions.
In addition to tracking tsunamis, satellites like SWOT play an important role in monitoring storm surges, floods, and sea level rise. Integrating satellite data with real-time analysis paves the way for faster and more effective response to disasters, thus contributing to safer and more resilient communities.
Source: Port Altele
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