A massive landslide in a remote fjord in East Greenland triggered a tsunami that reverberated across the Earth for nine days. Scientists were able to locate the source of the tsunami using seismic data and satellite imagery. The landslide, caused by melting glaciers due to climate change, sent a 200m wave that was trapped in the narrow fjord, creating vibrations that were detected globally.

The investigation into the event involved an international team of scientists and the Danish Navy. Initially identified as an “unidentified seismic object,” the continuous seismic signal led to the discovery of the tsunami in the remote fjord. Through collaboration and analysis of various data, including satellite images and photographs, the scientists determined that 25 million cubic meters of rock had collapsed into the water, causing the mega-tsunami.

The trapped wave in the fjord sloshed back and forth for nine days, a phenomenon unprecedented in its scale and duration. Scientists attribute the landslide to the thinning of glaciers supporting Greenland’s mountains, a consequence of rising temperatures. This event highlights the impact of climate change on remote regions like Greenland and underscores the need for further research into such occurrences.

While the tsunami occurred in a remote area not heavily populated, the increasing frequency of such events in Greenland raises concerns. Dr. Kristian Svennevig from the National Geological Surveys for Denmark and Greenland noted a rise in giant landslides causing tsunamis in the Arctic. The Dickson Fjord event serves as a stark reminder of the effects of climate change on geological phenomena, emphasizing the importance of continued scientific investigation in these regions.

This unprecedented event in Greenland’s Dickson Fjord showcases the far-reaching consequences of climate change on geological processes. Scientists warn of the increasing occurrence of tsunami-causing landslides in the Arctic, urging further research to understand and mitigate such events. The collaborative efforts of international scientists and the Danish Navy have shed light on the complex interactions between melting glaciers, landslides, and tsunamis, emphasizing the urgent need for climate action to protect vulnerable regions like Greenland.

Original news source: Mystery tremors were from massive nine-day tsunami (BBC)

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into two teams. Write down key words from the article on separate pieces of paper and place them in a bag or container. One student from each team will come up and pick a word without looking and then have to act it out without speaking while their team guesses. The team that guesses the most words correctly wins.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Provide each student with a list of vocabulary words from the article. In pairs, students take turns choosing a word and drawing it while their partner tries to guess the word. This activity helps reinforce vocabulary from the article in a creative way.

– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs, students have to summarize the article in their own words. They should focus on the main points and key information while practicing their paraphrasing skills. Afterward, pairs can share their summaries with the class for discussion.

– Opinion Spectrum
Instructions: Write statements related to the article on cards, such as “Climate change is the biggest threat to the Arctic” or “Scientific collaboration is essential for understanding natural disasters.” Have students physically place themselves along a spectrum from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree” based on their opinions. Encourage students to discuss and debate their viewpoints.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: In groups, students discuss and make predictions about future events related to climate change and its impact on geological phenomena. They can base their predictions on the article and their own knowledge. Each group presents their predictions to the class, fostering discussion and critical thinking skills.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. How did scientists locate the source of the tsunami in East Greenland?
2. What caused the landslide that triggered the tsunami in the remote fjord?
3. How did the scientists determine the volume of rock that collapsed into the water?
4. Why was the continuous seismic signal initially identified as an “unidentified seismic object”?
5. What made the sloshing of the trapped wave in the fjord for nine days unprecedented?
6. According to the article, what is the impact of rising temperatures on the thinning of glaciers in Greenland?
7. What concerns have been raised by Dr. Kristian Svennevig regarding the frequency of such events in Greenland?
8. How does the Dickson Fjord event serve as a reminder of the effects of climate change on geological phenomena?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A massive (1)______ in a remote (2)______ in East Greenland triggered a (3)______ that reverberated across the Earth for nine days. Scientists were able to locate the source of the tsunami using seismic data and satellite imagery. The landslide, caused by melting glaciers due to climate change, sent a 200m wave that was trapped in the narrow fjord, creating vibrations that were detected globally.

The investigation into the event involved an international team of (4)______ and the Danish Navy. Initially identified as an “unidentified seismic object,” the continuous seismic signal led to the discovery of the tsunami in the remote fjord. Through collaboration and analysis of various data, including satellite (5)______ and photographs, the scientists (6)______ that 25 million cubic meters of rock had collapsed into the water, causing the mega-tsunami.

The trapped wave in the fjord sloshed back and forth for nine days, a (7)______ unprecedented in its scale and duration. Scientists attribute the landslide to the thinning of glaciers supporting Greenland’s mountains, a consequence of rising temperatures. This event highlights the (8)______ of climate change on remote regions like Greenland and (9)______ the need for further research into such occurrences.

While the tsunami occurred in a remote area not heavily populated, the increasing frequency of such (10)______ in Greenland raises concerns. Dr. Kristian Svennevig from the National (11)______ Surveys for Denmark and Greenland noted a rise in giant landslides causing tsunamis in the Arctic. The Dickson Fjord event serves as a stark (12)______ of the effects of climate change on geological phenomena, emphasizing the importance of continued scientific investigation in these regions.

This unprecedented event in Greenland’s Dickson Fjord showcases the far-reaching consequences of climate (13)______ on geological processes. Scientists warn of the increasing occurrence of tsunami-causing landslides in the (14)______, urging further research to (15)______ and mitigate such events. The collaborative efforts of international scientists and the Danish Navy have shed (16)______ on the complex interactions between melting glaciers, landslides, and tsunamis, emphasizing the urgent need for climate action to protect vulnerable regions like Greenland.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. How do you think the discovery of the tsunami in Greenland’s Dickson Fjord will impact future research on climate change?
2. Do you believe that events like the one in Greenland could happen in other remote regions due to climate change? Why or why not?
3. How would you feel if you lived in a region prone to natural disasters like tsunamis caused by climate change?
4. What do you think is the role of international collaboration in investigating and understanding natural disasters like the one in Greenland?
5. Do you think the general public is aware of the potential impact of climate change on geological phenomena, like landslides and tsunamis? Why or why not?
6. How do you think governments should respond to the increasing occurrence of tsunamis caused by melting glaciers in remote regions like Greenland?
7. What measures do you think can be taken to prevent or mitigate the effects of climate change-induced landslides and tsunamis in vulnerable areas?
8. Why do you think it’s important for scientists to study events like the one in Greenland’s Dickson Fjord, even if they occur in remote areas?
9. How do you think the media should report on natural disasters like the Greenland tsunami to raise awareness about climate change?
10. Do you believe that the public perception of climate change would change if more events like the one in Greenland were widely reported? Why or why not?
11. How would you feel if you were a scientist working on studying the effects of climate change on geological processes in remote regions like Greenland?
12. What measures do you think individuals can take to contribute to the fight against climate change and prevent events like the Greenland tsunami from occurring more frequently?
13. Do you think enough resources are currently allocated to studying the effects of climate change on geological phenomena in remote regions? Why or why not?
14. How do you think the findings from the investigation into the Greenland tsunami can be used to inform policy decisions on climate change mitigation?
15. Why do you think it’s important for the general public to be informed about the connection between climate change and natural disasters like tsunamis?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. fjord
2. reverberated
3. seismic
4. imagery
5. glaciers
6. phenomenon
7. unprecedented
8. attribute
9. consequence
10. underscores
11. frequency
12. geological
13. occurrence
14. mitigate
15. interactions

Meanings:
(A) To make something less severe or serious
(B) Large masses of ice that move slowly over land
(C) Never done or known before
(D) Visual representations or pictures
(E) Related to or caused by an earthquake or other vibrations of the earth
(F) The ways in which two or more things affect each other
(G) A result or effect of an action or condition
(H) To regard something as being caused by
(I) An event or incident
(J) An observable event or fact, especially one that is not fully understood
(K) Echoed or resounded repeatedly
(L) A long, narrow inlet with steep sides, created by a glacier
(M) Related to the study of the earth’s physical structure and substance
(N) The rate at which something happens over a particular period
(O) Emphasizes or highlights the importance of something
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. How long did the tsunami triggered by the massive landslide in East Greenland reverberate across the Earth?
(a) Five days
(b) Two weeks
(c) Nine days
(d) One month

2. What was the cause of the landslide in East Greenland that triggered the tsunami?
(a) Volcanic eruption
(b) Melting glaciers due to climate change
(c) Earthquake
(d) Tectonic plate movement

3. How did scientists locate the source of the tsunami in East Greenland?
(a) Seismic data and satellite imagery
(b) Weather reports
(c) Underwater drones
(d) Eyewitness accounts

4. What was the size of the wave sent by the landslide in East Greenland?
(a) 100m
(b) 500m
(c) 50m
(d) 200m

5. Who was involved in the investigation of the tsunami in East Greenland?
(a) Local fishermen
(b) Tourists
(c) An international team of scientists and the Danish Navy
(d) Greenlandic government officials

6. What did the scientists determine had collapsed into the water in East Greenland, causing the mega-tsunami?
(a) 10 million cubic meters of ice
(b) 25 million cubic meters of rock
(c) 50 million cubic meters of sand
(d) 5 million cubic meters of concrete

7. How long did the trapped wave in the fjord slosh back and forth after the landslide in East Greenland?
(a) One day
(b) Three weeks
(c) One month
(d) Nine days

8. What does the Dickson Fjord event in Greenland highlight?
(a) The impact of climate change on geological processes
(b) The benefits of warmer temperatures in the Arctic
(c) The decrease in landslides in the Arctic
(d) The stability of Greenland’s mountains

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The continuous seismic signal initially identified as an “unidentified seismic object” led to the discovery of the tsunami in the remote fjord.
2. The source of the tsunami in Greenland’s Dickson Fjord was located using seismic data and satellite imagery.
3. The event in Greenland’s Dickson Fjord underscores the urgent need for climate action to protect vulnerable regions from the impacts of climate change.
4. Dr. Kristian Svennevig highlighted a decline in giant landslides causing tsunamis in the Arctic, excluding the Dickson Fjord event.
5. The trapped wave in Greenland’s fjord sloshed back and forth for an unprecedented nine days.
6. The landslide that caused the minor-tsunami in Greenland was a result of stable glaciers due to climate change.
7. A minor landslide in East Greenland triggered a tsunami that lasted for three days, reverberating globally.
8. An international team of artists and the Danish Navy collaborated to investigate the tsunami event in Greenland.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What triggered the massive landslide in East Greenland that led to a tsunami, and how did scientists locate the source of the tsunami?
2. How did the international team of scientists and the Danish Navy collaborate to investigate the tsunami in Greenland’s Dickson Fjord?
3. What role did climate change play in the occurrence of the mega-tsunami in Greenland, and what implications does this event have for remote regions like Greenland?
4. Why do scientists emphasize the importance of continued research into tsunami-causing landslides in the Arctic, and what are the potential consequences of not addressing these issues?
5. How does the unprecedented event in Greenland’s Dickson Fjord highlight the urgent need for climate action to protect vulnerable regions, and what can be done to mitigate the impact of climate change on geological processes in these areas?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. How did scientists locate the source of the tsunami in East Greenland?
Scientists located the source of the tsunami in East Greenland using seismic data and satellite imagery.

2. What caused the landslide that triggered the tsunami in the remote fjord?
The landslide that triggered the tsunami in the remote fjord was caused by melting glaciers due to climate change.

3. How did the scientists determine the volume of rock that collapsed into the water?
The scientists determined that 25 million cubic meters of rock collapsed into the water by analyzing various data, including satellite images and photographs.

4. Why was the continuous seismic signal initially identified as an “unidentified seismic object”?
The continuous seismic signal was initially identified as an “unidentified seismic object” because it led to the discovery of the tsunami in the remote fjord.

5. What made the sloshing of the trapped wave in the fjord for nine days unprecedented?
The sloshing of the trapped wave in the fjord for nine days was unprecedented in its scale and duration.

6. According to the article, what is the impact of rising temperatures on the thinning of glaciers in Greenland?
Rising temperatures are causing the thinning of glaciers supporting Greenland’s mountains, leading to events like the landslide and tsunami.

7. What concerns have been raised by Dr. Kristian Svennevig regarding the frequency of such events in Greenland?
Dr. Kristian Svennevig raised concerns about the increasing frequency of giant landslides causing tsunamis in the Arctic, including Greenland.

8. How does the Dickson Fjord event serve as a reminder of the effects of climate change on geological phenomena?
The Dickson Fjord event serves as a reminder of the effects of climate change on geological phenomena by highlighting the far-reaching consequences and urgent need for climate action.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) landslide
(2) fjord
(3) tsunami
(4) scientists
(5) images
(6) determined
(7) phenomenon
(8) impact
(9) underscores
(10) events
(11) Geological
(12) reminder
(13) change
(14) Arctic
(15) understand
(16) light
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. fjord
Answer: (L) A long, narrow inlet with steep sides, created by a glacier

2. reverberated
Answer: (K) Echoed or resounded repeatedly

3. seismic
Answer: (E) Related to or caused by an earthquake or other vibrations of the earth

4. imagery
Answer: (D) Visual representations or pictures

5. glaciers
Answer: (B) Large masses of ice that move slowly over land

6. phenomenon
Answer: (J) An observable event or fact, especially one that is not fully understood

7. unprecedented
Answer: (C) Never done or known before

8. attribute
Answer: (H) To regard something as being caused by

9. consequence
Answer: (G) A result or effect of an action or condition

10. underscores
Answer: (O) Emphasizes or highlights the importance of something

11. frequency
Answer: (N) The rate at which something happens over a particular period

12. geological
Answer: (M) Related to the study of the earth’s physical structure and substance

13. occurrence
Answer: (I) An event or incident

14. mitigate
Answer: (A) To make something less severe or serious

15. interactions
Answer: (F) The ways in which two or more things affect each other
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. How long did the tsunami triggered by the massive landslide in East Greenland reverberate across the Earth?
Answer: (c) Nine days

2. What was the cause of the landslide in East Greenland that triggered the tsunami?
Answer: (b) Melting glaciers due to climate change

3. How did scientists locate the source of the tsunami in East Greenland?
Answer: (a) Seismic data and satellite imagery

4. What was the size of the wave sent by the landslide in East Greenland?
Answer: (d) 200m

5. Who was involved in the investigation of the tsunami in East Greenland?
Answer: (c) An international team of scientists and the Danish Navy

6. What did the scientists determine had collapsed into the water in East Greenland, causing the mega-tsunami?
Answer: (b) 25 million cubic meters of rock

7. How long did the trapped wave in the fjord slosh back and forth after the landslide in East Greenland?
Answer: (d) Nine days

8. What does the Dickson Fjord event in Greenland highlight?
Answer: (a) The impact of climate change on geological processes
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The continuous seismic signal initially identified as an “unidentified seismic object” led to the discovery of the tsunami in the remote fjord. (Answer: True)
2. The source of the tsunami in Greenland’s Dickson Fjord was located using seismic data and satellite imagery. (Answer: True)
3. The event in Greenland’s Dickson Fjord underscores the urgent need for climate action to protect vulnerable regions from the impacts of climate change. (Answer: True)
4. Dr. Kristian Svennevig highlighted a decline in giant landslides causing tsunamis in the Arctic, excluding the Dickson Fjord event. (Answer: False)
5. The trapped wave in Greenland’s fjord sloshed back and forth for an unprecedented nine days. (Answer: True)
6. The landslide that caused the minor-tsunami in Greenland was a result of stable glaciers due to climate change. (Answer: False)
7. A minor landslide in East Greenland triggered a tsunami that lasted for three days, reverberating globally. (Answer: False)
8. An international team of artists and the Danish Navy collaborated to investigate the tsunami event in Greenland. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧