Mystery in Antarctica: an submarine discovered secret structures in the glaciers and disappeared into frozen waters
The submersible toured more than 965 kilometers to find out how glaciers melted near strong underwater currents and observe the topography of this ice platform.
“Ran” submarine in Antarctica. Photo: x @realderechacl.
The Thwaites International Glacier Collaboration (ITGC) programmed a Automated submarine vehicle (AUV) -Llap “Ran“- To immerse yourself in the cavity of the ice platform Dotsonlocated near the glacier Thwaitesin the Western Antarctica.
During 27 days of research, the submarine toured more than 965 kilometers To find out how glaciers melts close to strong underwater currents and observe the topography of this important ice platform.
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The experts discovered that the attributes of the western part of the ice platform differ greatly from those of the eastern part, which is thicker and, therefore, are melts more slowly.
Also, the auv “ran” produced High Resolution Maps from the lower part of the Dotson ice platform that revealed strange characteristics in tear -shaped, frozen plateaus and detailed erosion patterns.
Antarctica. Photo: Unspash.
“We had previously used satellite data and ice witnesses to observe how glaciers change over time“He declared Anna Wahlinmain author of the scientific study, in a press release.
Unlike glaciers, which rest on the earth, ice platforms are part of the ocean. They act as a buttress which prevents terrestrial ice from flowing to the ocean and raising sea level, so they are of vital importance for the Polar ecosystem.
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The submersible “ran”, of 6 meters longhe used pulsed sound waves (advanced multihaz sound) on the ice to map their characteristics, but due to their sub -antarctic location, Wahlin and his team could not communicate with the AUV or follow their movements with GPS.
Ran Cartographiced about 80 square kilometers of ice and the observed structures were more complex than anyone imagined.
“The cartography provided Many new data that we must analyze more carefully, “Wahlin said. And he added:” Current models cannot explain the complex patterns we observe. However, with this method we have more possibilities to find the answers. “
Antarctica. Photo: Unspash.
One of the team’s discoveries is that the different fusion rates between the east and west portions of the Dotson ice platform could be explained by a phenomenon known as Modified Circumpolar Deep Waterwhich occurs when ocean water Peaceful and Indian It is mixed with other local water masses that affect the ice base.
These latest data were complemented with the “ran” measurements on these underwater currents, as well as with the high fusion rates of fractures that cross the glacier.
