NASA’s satellite reveals fascinating tsunami data in Greenland

An unprecedented nine-day tsunami following a significant landslide in Greenland’s Dickson Fjord was recently recorded by the international Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite, a collaborative mission between NASA and France’s Center 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 cases in which satellite data captured a long-term natural phenomenon with such clarity.

Breach detection by satellite in remote fjord

According to one report According to NASA, the rockslide released more than 25 million cubic meters of rock and ice into the fjord, displacing the water and creating a huge wave that moved rhythmically between the fjord walls every 90 seconds for nine consecutive days. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientist Josh Willis marked this was the first time we said, “SWOT’s technology allowed us to see the wave contours, something we couldn’t achieve before.” The water level on the north side of the Dickson Fjord rose by up to 1.2 meters, in contrast to the south side, highlighting the powerful impact of the landslide.

Advanced technology for monitoring global threats

At an altitude of approximately 900 kilometers, SWOT uses a Ka-band Radar Interferometer (KaRIn) to accurately measure the height of surface water. This technology captured the effects of the event in the confined fjord environment, 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 hazard monitoring, contributing to preparedness and reducing disaster risks.

Innovative partnership in satellite research

Since its launch in December 2022, SWOT has played a major role in mapping global water levels. Developed with contributions from the Canadian and British space agencies, NASA will lead U.S. operations of the mission, including the KaRIn instrument, with CNES managing various onboard systems and support. The data collected promise continued contributions to the scientific understanding of water dynamics on Earth.