A team of international researchers from the University of Gothenburg has made groundbreaking discoveries about the potential for rising sea levels by exploring the underside of Antarctic glaciers using an autonomous submarine called Ran. Over 27 days, Ran traveled over 1,000 kilometers under the ice, reaching a depth of 17 kilometers in the Dotson Ice Shelf cavity.
The data collected by Ran provided high-resolution maps of the glacier’s underside, revealing key information about glacial melt patterns. Scientists measured currents flowing beneath the glacier and discovered high melt rates concentrated around vertical fractures. These unique structures could be influenced by the Coriolis effect, a result of Earth’s rotation on moving water.
Ran’s findings offer valuable insights for improving climate models, which have struggled to explain the complex patterns revealed under the glacier. The detailed maps produced by the submarine now serve as a critical tool for calibration. The data collected during Ran’s initial mission has already transformed how scientists view Antarctic glaciers.
The disappearance of Ran in 2024 highlights the challenges of exploring such a remote and hostile environment. However, its achievements do not overshadow its loss, as the data it collected has opened a new chapter in understanding our planet’s most remote frontier. Future explorations are being planned, with lessons learned from Ran informing the design of new, more advanced submersibles capable of venturing even deeper into the unknown.
The mission’s findings underscore the importance of continued research and innovation in polar studies. Understanding how and why Antarctic ice shelves melt is essential for predicting future sea-level rise. As scientists analyze Ran’s data, they will work to develop more accurate predictions and pave the way for further exploration of this mysterious world beneath the ice.
Source: https://jasondeegan.com/the-ran-submarine-lost-17km-deep-in-antarctic-ice-reveals-the-hidden-side-of-the-south-pole