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Unmanned submarine discovers ice shelf mysteries, then disappears


Using the unmanned submarine Ran, researchers mapped the underside of West Antarctica's Dotson Ice Shelf, uncovering complex ice formations and significant melt areas driven by underwater currents, crucial for enhancing sea level rise predictions. An international research team from the Universit

Using the submersible, scientists were able to measure the currents below the glacier for the first time and prove why the western part of the Dotson Ice Shelf melts so fast. This research is needed to understand the future of Antarctica’s ice sheet, and we hope to be able to replace Ran and continue this important work,” says Anna Wåhlin. Hall, David M. Holland, Tae Wan Kim, Robert D. Larter, Li Ling, Atsuhiro Muto, Erin C. Pettit, Britney E. Schmidt, Tasha Snow, Filip Stedt, Peter M. Washam, Stina Wahlgren, Christian Wild, Julia Wellner, Yixi Zheng and Karen J. Heywood, 31 July 2024, Science Advances.

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Unmanned submarine