Greenland Slope Study Finds 10-Meter Tsunami Potential

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ScienceAlert reports on research published in Communications Earth & Environment by Danish and Norwegian geologists. The study identified two unstable slopes in Greenland’s Uummannaq Fjord system; the Karrat Fjord slope contains about 400 million cubic meters of rock, and a total collapse could send a tsunami over 10 meters high more than 100 kilometers away. A smaller slope in Kangerluarsuk Fjord looks more imminent and could fail within years or decades. The report covers warning times, melting permafrost and the 2017 landslide tsunami that killed four people. Disclosure: This video contains stock footage and content created or enhanced using AI-assisted tools.

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00:00Scientists warn that two unstable slopes in Greenland could trigger deadly tsunamis.

00:05In 2017, a landslide in Karat Fjord sent a tsunami into the village of Nugatsiak.

00:10Four people died and nine were injured, and the village is still abandoned.

00:15Researchers studied two newly identified slopes in the Umanak Fjord system.

00:20One in Karat Fjord holds about 400 million cubic meters of rock.

00:24It is among the largest active unstable slopes ever mapped.

00:27If all of it failed, a tsunami could exceed 10 meters more than 100 kilometers away.

00:33A smaller slope in Karat Fjord looks more imminent.

00:36It could fail within years or decades, though the timing is very uncertain.

00:41A wave would reach the settlement of Ukasasat in about six minutes, with a run-up of three to seven

00:47meters.

00:48Scientists say melting permafrost may raise the risk in Arctic areas.

00:52Disclosure.

00:53This video contains stock footage and content created or enhanced using AI-assisted tools.

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