greenland
Newsletter
Greenland landslide triggered global seismic event for nine days
A climate-driven landslide and mega-tsunami in Greenland in 2023 caused a seismic event that made the Earth vibrate for more than a week.
In short:
- A 1,200-meter-high mountain collapsed into Greenland's Dickson fjord, causing a tsunami with initial waves 200 meters high.
- The tsunami waves sent seismic vibrations through the Earth for nine days, a phenomenon never seen before from such an event.
- Scientists linked the collapse to melting glaciers caused by climate change, warning of more frequent landslides in the future.
Key quote:
“We can quite clearly see this event, triggered by climate change, caused a global vibration beneath all of our feet, everywhere around the world.”
— Anne Mangeney, landslide modeller at the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris in France
Why this matters:
As Arctic regions warm, the stability of landscapes once thought secure is at risk, leading to unpredictable natural disasters. This incident shows how climate change impacts can reverberate globally, both literally and figuratively.
Learn more: Scientists warn of irreversible climate tipping points
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Credit: lucas huffman/Unsplash
Scientists see some risks of catastrophic climate events as lower but still concerning
Recent studies suggest that some worst-case climate scenarios, like the collapse of the Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica, are less likely than previously thought, though other threats like the collapse of the AMOC remain serious concerns.
In short:
- The Thwaites Glacier, also known as the "Doomsday Glacier," is still melting, but its rapid collapse is less likely within this century.
- Greenland's ice sheet is melting faster than expected, but it may be more resilient if global temperatures are controlled.
- Scientists continue to study the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), which could collapse by 2050, leading to significant climate disruptions.
Key quote:
"Unfortunately, Thwaites Glacier is still going to retreat and with it most of the West Antarctic ice sheet, but not as rapidly as one scenario suggested."
— Mathieu Morlighem, professor of earth sciences, Dartmouth University
Why this matters:
Rising sea levels, driven by ice sheet melt and ocean circulation changes, threaten coastal cities and could lead to widespread displacement and severe weather changes. These scenarios remain potential global challenges despite some recent optimism.
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Credit: Mario Hagen/Pixabay
Greenland's ice-free past raises concerns about sea level rise
New fossils found in Greenland suggest the continent was nearly ice-free in the past, sparking concerns about future ice loss and rising sea levels.
In short:
- Researchers from the University of Vermont discovered ancient plant and insect fossils in ice core samples from Greenland, indicating that the continent was largely ice-free within the last 1.1 million years.
- The findings suggest that Greenland's ice sheet, which contains enough water to raise sea levels by 23 feet, could melt more easily than previously thought, as current CO2 levels are at a historical high.
- Experts urge immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, warning that melting the Greenland ice sheet would be irreversible.
Key quote:
"Most likely, we’re creating a world where these ice sheets are going to melt.”
— Tyler Jones, glaciology researcher at the University of Colorado
Why this matters:
If Greenland's ice melts, global sea levels could rise significantly, threatening coastal communities worldwide. Understanding Greenland's past climate conditions helps scientists predict future changes and highlights the urgency of climate action to mitigate these impacts.
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Greenland ice sheet losing more ice than scientists estimated
The Greenland ice sheet lost 20 percent more ice than scientists previously thought, posing potential problems for ocean circulation and sea level rise, a study says.
Image by Bernd Hildebrandt from Pixabay
Climate change and the village at the end of the world
Ittoqqotoormiit, in the east of Greenland, is probably the most remote village in the world. Only about 350 people live in the tiny hamlet north of the Arctic Circle. Today their unique way of life is under threat.
Photo by sara nudaveritas on Unsplash
From carbon sink to source: the stark changes in Arctic lakes
For millennia, lakes in Greenland’s dry tundra have locked up huge loads of carbon in their sediment. But as the Arctic becomes warmer and wetter, scientists believe these lakes could become sources of carbon, which would have important consequences for the world’s climate.
What Arctic ice in Greenland tells us about climate change
I went with scientists to study a remote part of the Greenland ice sheet. Here’s what I learned, and why it matters for the rest of the world.
ORIGINAL REPORTING
MOST POPULAR
CLIMATE
