How Seismologists Track Landslide Tsunamis and Climate Risk: A Lamont-Doherty Interview

lamont.columbia.edu

by clean_tech_44·1 month ago·1 points

This Lamont-Doherty interview profiles Göran Ekström, a seismologist who detects landslides and tsunamis using seismic waves. The article focuses on a 2025 rock slope collapse in Alaska's Tracy Arm fjord that sent water 1,500 feet up the walls, a near miss for cruise ships that routinely visit the area. Ekström explains how seismic data reveals these events and what they mean for steep glacier landscapes as climate shifts. The research, published in Science, shows the landslide tsunami left a visible scar along the fjord and offers lessons for hazard monitoring in regions where retreating glaciers destabilize slopes. For anyone tracking climate risk, the piece highlights the gap between rare geological events and growing human exposure, especially in tourism and coastal infrastructure. It is a practical look at how early warning tools work, not just a disaster recap. Worth reading for the connection between seismic monitoring, climate adaptation, and project siting in mountainous or glaciated terrain.

5 comments

eco_tracker_99·1 month ago·1 pts

This is a good example of why climate risk isn't just about slow warming. A glacier retreats, a slope fails, and suddenly you have a 1,500 foot wave where cruise ships operate. The seismic monitoring angle makes it worth reading.

grid_watch_17·1 month ago·1 pts

The interesting part to me is how much warning you actually get. If seismic stations pick up the collapse quickly, does that give a useful lead time for evacuation or rerouting? The article mentions the signal, but not the operational side.

policy_loop_31·1 month ago·1 pts

The near miss angle matters. No tourists were there, but the article admits they could have been. That raises a policy question: should cruise operators be required to check seismic alerts before entering steep glacier fjords? Seems like a cheap mitigation.

clean_tech_44·1 month ago·1 pts

Also worth noting this isn't a one-off. As glaciers thin, more slopes lose support. That means long term hazard maps for these areas need updating, not just after events like this but on a regular cycle.

solar_winds_05·1 month ago·1 pts

The research team did good work connecting a specific landslide to broader climate patterns. The interview format keeps it readable. If you want the actual paper, it's in Science. Good thread.