An international team of scientists has identified the cause of giant underwater landslides in Antarctica, which could potentially trigger tsunamis reaching distant shores, including South America and New Zealand. The researchers found that layers of weak, biologically-rich sediments beneath the seafloor were responsible for these landslides, having formed during warmer climatic periods when temperatures were up to 3°C higher, and sea levels were elevated. The sediment layers, discovered in the eastern Ross Sea during past expeditions, made the region susceptible to seismic activity, leading to landslides that cut into the seabed by over 100 meters.
With current climate change trends replicating conditions similar to these historic periods, the risk of underwater landslides—and their associated tsunami hazards—has heightened. The study emphasizes the urgent need to understand the impact of climate change on the stability of underwater regions, which poses potential threats not only to life but also to infrastructure, including subsea cables. Researchers recommend thorough geological assessments to mitigate risks to future marine operations and enhance safety in affected areas. The study highlights the critical importance of scientific ocean drilling in understanding these phenomena.
