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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Kate Ravilious

Megatsunami risk on the rise as glacial melt drives landslides

Huge stranded icebergs at the mouth of the Icejord near Ilulissat at midnight, Greenland
Greenland’s glaciers and permafrost are melting at an accelerating rate because of global climate change. Photograph: Luis Leamus/Alamy

Just under a year ago, the east coast of Greenland was hit by a megatsunami. Triggered by a large landslide entering the uninhabited Dickson Fjord, the resulting tsunami was 200 metres high – equivalent to more than 40 double-decker buses.

Luckily no one was hurt, though a military base was obliterated. Now analysis of the seismic data associated with the event has revealed that the tsunami was followed by a standing wave, which continued to slosh back and forth within the narrow fjord for many days.

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