In early 2024, the autonomous submarine Ran vanished beneath Antarctica’s Dotson Ice Shelf. This disappearance leaves scientists with unanswered questions, but the data it collected before vanishing has already started to reshape our understanding of ice melt.
The Ran, part of the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC), was on a quest to explore parts of Antarctica that few have seen. It mapped underwater structures that challenged existing climate models. Although the submarine is lost, its findings may significantly impact our approach to sea level rise and climate change.
Mission Beneath the Ice
The Ran was engineered to explore the elusive base of the Dotson Ice Shelf. This region is buried under thick ice, making it impossible for manned missions. With advanced sonar technology, it successfully mapped over 130 square kilometers of uncharted territory in 2022.
Uniquely, the Ran operated autonomously, relying on pre-set instructions for navigation. This independence allowed it to venture into the icy depths without the usual communication tools.
However, when researchers tried to launch it again in 2024, it didn’t return from its dive. The reasons remain speculative, ranging from technical difficulties to the possibility of becoming trapped in underwater formations.
Unexpected Discoveries
Before its mysterious disappearance, the Ran made groundbreaking discoveries. A study published in Science Advances revealed underwater features that defied earlier assumptions, including unusual droplet-shaped formations and strange erosion patterns.
According to oceanographer Anna Wåhlin, these findings suggest our understanding of ice melt could be flawed. They indicated complex processes under the ice that existing models did not predict.
What’s Melting Under There?
One of the main goals of the ITGC was to determine why parts of the Dotson Ice Shelf melt at different rates. Data from the Ran showed that the western ice shelf, exposed to the rougher conditions of the circumpolar current, erodes faster than the eastern part, which is more sheltered. This information is vital for improving predictions about how quickly ice sheets might melt in the future.
The team is determined to carry on despite the loss of the Ran. The insights gained during its mission provide a clearer picture of the climate forces at play.
While there’s no substitute for the data the Ran gathered, researchers are planning to send a new vehicle, Ran II, to continue this important work.
In the words of the team at the University of Gothenburg, they are committed to advancing our understanding of ocean processes and climate change.
