Unraveling the Mystery: What 9 Days of Earth’s Mysterious Signals Reveal

In 2023, some unusual seismic signals emerged from the Arctic. Initially thought to be a seiche—a type of wave—this was never confirmed. However, NASA’s SWOT satellite eventually revealed that these signals were indeed from a seiche, triggered by a landslide.

For nine days that September, Earth transmitted signals every 90 seconds. These began after a landslide caused by a megatsunami in Dickson Fjord, Greenland. The sequence started with the tsunami creating waves that got trapped by ice, but proving this was tricky.

Using data from NASA’s SWOT satellite, researcher Thomas Monahan from Oxford University took a closer look. They discovered evidence of a seiche, characterized by waves that slowly lost their intensity. “The observed variability aligns with a slowly decaying seiche,” the team wrote in their study published in Nature Communications.

Seiches typically occur in lakes and similar enclosed bodies of water. The tsunami in Dickson Fjord generated strong winds and rapid pressure changes, causing water to slosh back and forth. Such phenomena can create seismic signals, which were seen in the fjord.

Early attempts to study this seiche faced challenges due to satellite altimeters that struggled to collect data consistently. However, the SWOT satellite was uniquely positioned to gather accurate and detailed data, especially as it transitioned into its Science phase. It mapped the fjord, modeling wave behavior and tracking height changes of up to two meters, or about 6.5 feet.

In a recent statement, Monahan highlighted the impact of new satellite technologies. “SWOT is a game changer for studying ocean processes in hard-to-reach areas," he noted.

This study underscores how modern technology can aid our understanding of natural processes. With more satellites like SWOT, we can expect to gather refined data that helps explain similar seismic events in the future.

Recent statistics suggest that advancements in satellite observation could enhance climate monitoring significantly. In fact, a report from the World Meteorological Organization emphasizes that improved data collection leads to better preparation for natural disasters.

The world of science is evolving, and tools like the SWOT satellite are at the forefront of this exciting journey.

Source link

Dickson Fjord, SWOT, Thomas Monahan, weather extremes, standing wave, seismic data, trapped water, weather phenomena