In 2022, the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC) led a significant mission using an underwater vehicle known as Ran to explore the Dotson ice shelf in West Antarctica. This mission aimed to uncover the dynamics of glacial melting influenced by underwater currents, critical for understanding climate change.
Over 27 days, Ran covered over 600 miles, mapping approximately 50 square miles of the ice shelf and collecting unprecedented data with advanced sonar technology. Researchers discovered unknown features, such as tear shapes and icy plateaus, enhancing knowledge about ice shelves’ interaction with ocean currents.
The results challenged existing beliefs about melting rates, revealing that the eastern Dotson Ice Shelf melts slower than the west, likely due to the influence of modified polar deep water. Although the mission initially succeeded in gathering data, the vehicle unexpectedly disappeared during its second deployment in 2024, likely due to being stuck or encountering seals.
Despite the loss, lead author Anna Wåhlin remains hopeful about the significant insights obtained, emphasizing the importance of this research for future understanding of Antarctic ice sheets and climate dynamics.
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