Produced by: Tarun Mishra
An unmanned submersible robot named 'Ran' has provided a unique glimpse into the uncharted world beneath the Antarctic ice shelves, which are increasingly melting due to climate change.
Equipped with advanced sonar technology, Ran spent 27 days beneath the Dotson Ice Shelf, covering an area of 1,000 kilometers, and unveiled new details about these icy regions.
Located in West Antarctica, the Dotson Ice Shelf plays a crucial role in the region's stability. It is composed of thick glacial ice sustained by land-based glaciers, floating above the sea with cavities beneath.
The ice shelves are not flat; they are dynamic and constantly evolving. The study of these shelves is vital for understanding how they impact sea level rise.
Ran's recent mission targeted a specific cavity, uncovering new information about the melting patterns and structural features of the ice shelves.
The exploration revealed that the base of the ice shelves is melting faster in areas eroded by strong underwater currents. The landscape beneath the ice is irregular, featuring peaks, valleys, plateaus, and formations resembling sand dunes.
These underwater features are likely shaped by water flow influenced by Earth's rotation, offering insights into the complex interactions at play beneath the ice.
Lead author Anna Wåhlin, Professor of Oceanography at the University of Gothenburg, likened the high-resolution mapping of the ice underside to seeing the "back of the moon" for the first time.
Credit: X (Twitter)
The team plans to conduct further surveys to monitor changes. Although the robot was lost after only one dive, the data collected provided valuable insights, though not as comprehensive as hoped.
Credit: X (Twitter)