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

An unprecedented nine-day tsunami following a big rockslide in Greenland’s Dickson Fjord was just lately recorded by the worldwide Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite tv for pc, a collaborative mission by NASA and France’s Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES). The occasion, which occurred in September 2023, noticed a singular sample of seismic waves resonate around the globe, marking one of many uncommon cases the place satellite tv for pc knowledge captured a chronic pure phenomenon with such readability.

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 large wave that moved rhythmically between the fjord partitions each 90 seconds for 9 consecutive days. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientist Josh Willis highlighted this as a primary, saying, “SWOT’s technology allowed us to see the wave contours, something we couldn’t achieve before.” The water ranges on the northern aspect of Dickson Fjord rose as excessive as 1.2 metres in distinction to the southern aspect, emphasising the highly effective affect of the rockslide.

Advanced Technology for Global Hazard Monitoring

At an altitude of round 900 kilometres, SWOT utilises a Ka-band Radar Interferometer (KaRIn) to measure floor water peak with precision. This know-how captured the occasion’s results within the confined fjord setting, which standard altimeters couldn’t do because of their bigger footprint. Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, a scientist at NASA Headquarters, famous that this functionality highlights SWOT’s potential for monitoring hazards, contributing to preparedness and catastrophe threat discount.

Innovative Partnership in Satellite Research

Since its launch in December 2022, SWOT has been instrumental in mapping world water ranges. Developed with contributions from the Canadian and UK house companies, NASA leads the mission’s U.S. operations, together with the KaRIn instrument, with CNES managing varied onboard methods and assist. The knowledge collected guarantees ongoing contributions to scientific understanding of Earth’s water dynamics.