A huge landslide in a far-off fjord in East Greenland set off a tsunami that traveled around the world for nine days. Scientists pinpointed the tsunami’s origin using seismic data and satellite images. The landslide, triggered by melting glaciers due to climate change, sent a 200m wave that got stuck in the narrow fjord, causing vibrations detected globally.

An international team of scientists and the Danish Navy worked together to investigate the event. Initially labeled as an “unidentified seismic object,” the continuous seismic activity led to the discovery of the tsunami in the remote fjord. By analyzing various data like satellite images and photos, the scientists found that 25 million cubic meters of rock had fallen into the water, causing the mega-tsunami.

The trapped wave in the fjord moved back and forth for nine days, an unprecedented event in terms of its size and duration. Scientists link the landslide to the shrinking glaciers supporting Greenland’s mountains, a result of rising temperatures. This occurrence highlights how climate change affects remote areas like Greenland and stresses the need for more research into such incidents.

Although the tsunami hit a sparsely populated area, the rising number of such events in Greenland is worrying. Dr. Kristian Svennevig from the National Geological Surveys for Denmark and Greenland mentioned an increase in large landslides causing tsunamis in the Arctic. The Dickson Fjord incident serves as a strong reminder of climate change’s impact on geological events, emphasizing the importance of ongoing scientific exploration in these regions.

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

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Headline Creation
Instructions: Have students work in pairs or small groups to create a catchy headline for the article about the Greenland tsunami. Encourage them to use vocabulary from the article and to make the headline attention-grabbing.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write down key vocabulary words from the article on separate pieces of paper. Have students pick a word and draw it on the board without using any letters, numbers, or gestures. Their classmates must guess the word based on the drawing.

– Opinion Spectrum
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups: “Agree” and “Disagree”. Make a statement related to the article, such as “Climate change is the main cause of natural disasters.” Have students move along a line in the classroom to show their level of agreement or disagreement, with one end representing strong disagreement and the other end representing strong agreement. Encourage students to discuss their opinions with their group.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups and assign each group the task of listing the pros and cons of conducting research in remote areas like Greenland. After a set amount of time, have each group share their lists with the class and facilitate a discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of such research.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Ask students to think about and write down their response to the following question: “How can scientific exploration help us better understand and address the impact of climate change on geological events?” Then, have them pair up to discuss their answers. Finally, open up the discussion to the whole class and encourage students to share their thoughts.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What triggered the huge landslide in East Greenland that caused a tsunami?
2. How did scientists determine the origin of the tsunami that traveled for nine days?
3. What role did the Danish Navy play in investigating the tsunami in Greenland?
4. How did scientists discover the tsunami in the remote fjord initially?
5. What was the size of the rock that fell into the water, causing the mega-tsunami?
6. Why was the trapped wave in the fjord moving back and forth for nine days considered unprecedented?
7. According to scientists, what is the connection between the landslide in Greenland and climate change?
8. Why is the Dickson Fjord incident seen as an important reminder of the impact of climate change on geological events?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A huge (1)______ in a far-off fjord in East Greenland set off a (2)______ that traveled around the world for nine days. Scientists (3)______ the tsunami’s (4)______ using seismic data and satellite images. The landslide, triggered by melting glaciers due to climate change, sent a 200m wave that got stuck in the narrow fjord, causing vibrations detected globally.

An international team of scientists and the Danish Navy worked together to (5)______ the (6)______. Initially labeled as an “unidentified seismic object,” the continuous seismic activity led to the discovery of the tsunami in the remote fjord. By analyzing various data like satellite images and photos, the scientists (7)______ that 25 million cubic meters of rock had fallen into the water, causing the mega-tsunami.

The (8)______ wave in the fjord moved back and forth for nine days, an unprecedented event in terms of its size and duration. Scientists link the landslide to the shrinking (9)______ supporting (10)______’s mountains, a result of rising temperatures. This occurrence highlights how climate change affects remote areas like Greenland and (11)______ the need for more research into such (12)______.

Although the tsunami hit a sparsely populated area, the rising number of such events in Greenland is worrying. Dr. Kristian Svennevig from the National Geological Surveys for (13)______ and Greenland mentioned an increase in large landslides causing tsunamis in the Arctic. The Dickson Fjord (14)______ serves as a (15)______ reminder of climate change’s impact on (16)______ events, emphasizing the importance of ongoing scientific exploration in these regions.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a tsunami and how is it different from a regular wave?
2. How would you feel if you were living near a fjord and experienced a tsunami like the one in East Greenland?
3. Do you think climate change is a serious issue? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever experienced a natural disaster? How did it make you feel?
5. Do you think scientists play an important role in studying and understanding natural disasters? Why or why not?
6. How do you think the melting glaciers in Greenland are affecting the environment?
7. Do you like learning about natural disasters and the science behind them? Why or why not?
8. What do you think can be done to prevent more tsunamis caused by landslides in remote areas like Greenland?
9. How do you think the people living near the affected fjord in Greenland felt during the nine days of the trapped tsunami?
10. Do you think it is important for countries to work together to study and understand natural disasters? Why or why not?
11. What measures do you think can be taken to reduce the impact of climate change on remote areas like Greenland?
12. Why do you think it is important for scientists to analyze data like satellite images and seismic activity in studying natural disasters?
13. How would you feel if you were a scientist involved in investigating the Dickson Fjord tsunami incident?
14. Do you think the general public is aware enough of the impact of climate change on geological events like landslides and tsunamis? Why or why not?
15. What do you think individuals can do to help combat climate change and its effects on the environment?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. landslide
2. fjord
3. tsunami
4. seismic
5. glaciers
6. pinpointed
7. triggered
8. unprecedented
9. shrinking
10. sparsely
11. geological
12. vibrations
13. remote
14. cubic meters
15. exploration

Meanings:
(A) The act of searching or traveling for the purpose of discovery
(B) A large amount of earth or rock that slides down a mountain or cliff
(C) Never done or known before
(D) Shaking movements
(E) Related to earthquakes or other vibrations of the earth
(F) Caused something to happen suddenly
(G) A unit of volume measurement for solids
(H) Identified the exact location or cause of something
(I) Related to the study of the earth’s physical structure
(J) Becoming smaller in size
(K) Far away from other places or people
(L) Large masses of ice that move slowly over land
(M) A huge sea wave caused by an underwater earthquake or landslide
(N) A long, narrow inlet with steep sides, created by a glacier
(O) In a way that is not dense or crowded
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. How long did the tsunami caused by the Greenland landslide travel for?
(a) Nine days
(b) Five days
(c) Two weeks
(d) One month

2. What triggered the landslide in East Greenland?
(a) Earthquake
(b) Volcanic eruption
(c) Melting glaciers
(d) Tornado

3. How did scientists locate the origin of the tsunami?
(a) Weather balloons
(b) Seismic data and satellite images
(c) Telescope observations
(d) Underwater drones

4. What caused the vibrations detected globally by scientists?
(a) A passing ship
(b) A meteor shower
(c) A submarine earthquake
(d) The stuck wave in the narrow fjord

5. How many cubic meters of rock fell into the water during the Greenland landslide?
(a) 10 thousand
(b) 25 million
(c) 50 million
(d) 5 million

6. What is the link between the landslide and climate change?
(a) Shrinking glaciers due to rising temperatures
(b) Increased rainfall
(c) Strong winds
(d) Soil erosion

7. Who worked together to investigate the tsunami event in Greenland?
(a) Local fishermen
(b) Tourists
(c) Construction workers
(d) An international team of scientists and the Danish Navy

8. What does Dr. Kristian Svennevig warn about in relation to Greenland’s geological events?
(a) Decrease in volcanic activity
(b) Rise in earthquakes
(c) An increase in large landslides causing tsunamis
(d) More tornadoes

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The trapped wave in the fjord moved back and forth for nine days, which was a unique and lengthy occurrence.
2. A massive landslide in East Greenland caused a tsunami that traveled globally for nine days.
3. The tsunami wave was 200 meters tall and got stuck in a narrow fjord, causing vibrations worldwide.
4. The landslide was triggered by melting icebergs due to climate change.
5. An international team of scientists and the Swedish Navy worked together to investigate the event.
6. The incident in Jones Fjord highlights the impact of climate change on geological events and the need for less research in remote areas like Greenland.
7. The landslide is connected to shrinking glaciers in Greenland due to rising temperatures.
8. Researchers used seismic data and drone footage to figure out where the tsunami started.
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 caused the tsunami in East Greenland to travel around the world for nine days?
2. How did scientists determine the origin of the tsunami in the remote fjord?
3. Why was the landslide triggered in Greenland linked to climate change?
4. What role did the Danish Navy play in investigating the tsunami event in East Greenland?
5. Why is it important for scientists to continue researching the impact of climate change on geological events in remote areas like Greenland?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What triggered the huge landslide in East Greenland that caused a tsunami?
The huge landslide in East Greenland was triggered by melting glaciers due to climate change.

2. How did scientists determine the origin of the tsunami that traveled for nine days?
Scientists used seismic data and satellite images to pinpoint the origin of the tsunami that traveled for nine days.

3. What role did the Danish Navy play in investigating the tsunami in Greenland?
The Danish Navy worked together with an international team of scientists to investigate the tsunami in Greenland.

4. How did scientists discover the tsunami in the remote fjord initially?
Initially labeled as an “unidentified seismic object,” continuous seismic activity led to the discovery of the tsunami in the remote fjord.

5. What was the size of the rock that fell into the water, causing the mega-tsunami?
The rock that fell into the water, causing the mega-tsunami, was 25 million cubic meters in size.

6. Why was the trapped wave in the fjord moving back and forth for nine days considered unprecedented?
The trapped wave moving back and forth for nine days was considered unprecedented due to its size and duration.

7. According to scientists, what is the connection between the landslide in Greenland and climate change?
Scientists link the landslide in Greenland to climate change, specifically to the shrinking glaciers supporting Greenland’s mountains.

8. Why is the Dickson Fjord incident seen as an important reminder of the impact of climate change on geological events?
The Dickson Fjord incident is seen as an important reminder of the impact of climate change on geological events because it highlights how rising temperatures are causing more frequent large landslides and tsunamis in remote areas like Greenland.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) landslide
(2) tsunami
(3) pinpointed
(4) origin
(5) investigate
(6) event
(7) found
(8) trapped
(9) glaciers
(10) Greenland
(11) stresses
(12) incidents
(13) Denmark
(14) incident
(15) strong
(16) geological
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. landslide
Answer: (B) A large amount of earth or rock that slides down a mountain or cliff

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

3. tsunami
Answer: (M) A huge sea wave caused by an underwater earthquake or landslide

4. seismic
Answer: (E) Related to earthquakes or other vibrations of the earth

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

6. pinpointed
Answer: (H) Identified the exact location or cause of something

7. triggered
Answer: (F) Caused something to happen suddenly

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

9. shrinking
Answer: (J) Becoming smaller in size

10. sparsely
Answer: (O) In a way that is not dense or crowded

11. geological
Answer: (I) Related to the study of the earth’s physical structure

12. vibrations
Answer: (D) Shaking movements

13. remote
Answer: (K) Far away from other places or people

14. cubic meters
Answer: (G) A unit of volume measurement for solids

15. exploration
Answer: (A) The act of searching or traveling for the purpose of discovery
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. How long did the tsunami caused by the Greenland landslide travel for?
Answer: (a) Nine days

2. What triggered the landslide in East Greenland?
Answer: (c) Melting glaciers

3. How did scientists locate the origin of the tsunami?
Answer: (b) Seismic data and satellite images

4. What caused the vibrations detected globally by scientists?
Answer: (d) The stuck wave in the narrow fjord

5. How many cubic meters of rock fell into the water during the Greenland landslide?
Answer: (b) 25 million

6. What is the link between the landslide and climate change?
Answer: (a) Shrinking glaciers due to rising temperatures

7. Who worked together to investigate the tsunami event in Greenland?
Answer: (d) An international team of scientists and the Danish Navy

8. What does Dr. Kristian Svennevig warn about in relation to Greenland’s geological events?
Answer: (c) An increase in large landslides causing tsunamis
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The trapped wave in the fjord moved back and forth for nine days, which was a unique and lengthy occurrence. (Answer: True)
2. A massive landslide in East Greenland caused a tsunami that traveled globally for nine days. (Answer: True)
3. The tsunami wave was 200 meters tall and got stuck in a narrow fjord, causing vibrations worldwide. (Answer: True)
4. The landslide was triggered by melting icebergs due to climate change. (Answer: False)
5. An international team of scientists and the Swedish Navy worked together to investigate the event. (Answer: False)
6. The incident in Jones Fjord highlights the impact of climate change on geological events and the need for less research in remote areas like Greenland. (Answer: False)
7. The landslide is connected to shrinking glaciers in Greenland due to rising temperatures. (Answer: True)
8. Researchers used seismic data and drone footage to figure out where the tsunami started. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧