SWOT Satellite Observes Seismic Tsunami Event in Greenland’s Dickson Fjord

SWOT satellite captures unique data on Greenland's tsunami, revealing water elevation changes post-rockslide.

Advertisement
Highlights
  • SWOT satellite measures water elevation changes in Greenland fjord.
  • Rockslide-triggered tsunami caused seismic activity worldwide.
  • Data enhances understanding of tsunami behaviour in confined spaces.
SWOT Satellite Observes Seismic Tsunami Event in Greenland’s Dickson Fjord

SWOT data reveals higher water levels in Dickson Fjord after a rockslide caused a nine-day tsunami.

Photo Credit: NASA Earth Observatory

An unprecedented nine-day tsunami following a significant rockslide in Greenland's Dickson Fjord was recently recorded by the international Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite, a collaborative mission by NASA and France's Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES). The event, which took place in September 2023, saw a unique pattern of seismic waves resonate around the world, marking one of the rare instances where satellite data captured a prolonged natural phenomenon with such clarity.

Satellite's Breakthrough Detection in Remote Fjord

As per a report by NASA, the rockslide unleashed over 25 million cubic meters of rock and ice into the fjord, displacing the water and creating a massive wave that moved rhythmically between the fjord walls every 90 seconds for nine consecutive days. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientist Josh Willis highlighted this as a first, saying, “SWOT's technology allowed us to see the wave contours, something we couldn't achieve before.” The water levels on the northern side of Dickson Fjord rose as high as 1.2 metres in contrast to the southern side, emphasising the powerful impact of the rockslide.

Advanced Technology for Global Hazard Monitoring

At an altitude of around 900 kilometres, SWOT utilises a Ka-band Radar Interferometer (KaRIn) to measure surface water height with precision. This technology captured the event's effects in the confined fjord setting, which conventional altimeters could not do due to their larger footprint. Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, a scientist at NASA Headquarters, noted that this capability highlights SWOT's potential for monitoring hazards, contributing to preparedness and disaster risk reduction.

Innovative Partnership in Satellite Research

Since its launch in December 2022, SWOT has been instrumental in mapping global water levels. Developed with contributions from the Canadian and UK space agencies, NASA leads the mission's U.S. operations, including the KaRIn instrument, with CNES managing various onboard systems and support. The data collected promises ongoing contributions to scientific understanding of Earth's water dynamics.

 

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Gadgets 360 Staff

The resident bot. If you email me, a human will respond. more

Advertisement
Popular Mobile Brands
  1. PS5 Pro Launched in Select Markets With Over 50 Enhanced Games Confirmed
  2. iPhone 15 Becomes the Best-Selling Smartphone Globally in Q3 2024
  3. Lucky Bhaskar OTT Release Date: Here's Everything You Need to Know
  4. OnePlus 12 Starts Receiving OxygenOS 15 Update With These Features
  5. Samsung Galaxy S25 Series New Leak Hints at Online Exclusive Colours
  6. Vivo Y19s Price Revealed; Packs 5,500mAh Battery, 50-Megapixel Camera
  7. Your Pixel Phone's Call Screen Feature Will Soon Support 'AI Replies'
  8. Redmi K80 Series Teased; Redmi K80 Pro Could Be Cheaper Than OnePlus 13
  9. Redmi A4 5G India Launch Date Set for November 20; Key Features Confirmed
  10. Realme GT 7 Pro vs iQOO 13: Which Is Better?
  1. iQOO 13 With Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC Will Launch in India on December 3
  2. Google Vids AI-Powered Video Creation Tool Rolling Out to Select Workspace Users
  3. Redmi K80 Series Teased; Redmi K80 Pro Could Be Priced Lower Than OnePlus 13
  4. Huawei MatePad 11.5 With 2.2K LCD Screen, 7,700mAh Battery Launched: Price, Specifications
  5. iPhone 15 Best-Selling Smartphone Globally in Q3 2024 as Samsung Takes Most Spots: Counterpoint
  6. Appudo Ippudo Eppudo OTT Release Reportedly Revealed: Here's Everything You Need to Know
  7. The Magic of Shiri Starring Divyanka Tripathi and Jaaved Jaaferi OTT Release Date Revealed
  8. Lucky Bhaskar OTT Release Date: Dulquer Salmaan Starrer Movie Might Stream Soon
  9. Yek Number OTT Release Date: Rajesh Mapuskar’s Marathi Romantic Drama Premieres on November 8
  10. Sikandar Ka Muqaddar OTT Release Date: Jimmy Shergill Starrer Movie to Stream on Netflixon Netflix on This Date
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
App Store App Store
Available in Hindi
App Store
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2024. All rights reserved.
Trending Products »
Latest Tech News »