A new robotic submarine will explore under Antarctica’s glaciers. This is where another submarine called Ran has been lost. Ran disappeared in January 2024 while it was working. It collected many important data about the melting ice there.
Ran was operated by the University of Gothenburg. The new submarine, called Ran II, will be ready for use in winter 2026/2027. It will have better tools to handle the dangerous conditions under the ice.
For six years, Ran provided scientists with important information. It took pictures and mapped areas beneath glaciers like the Thwaites Glacier. This glacier is crucial for understanding sea level rise.
Ran showed that the ice under glaciers is not flat. There are hills, valleys, and even areas that look like sand dunes. These shapes affect how quickly the ice melts.
Ran’s work is essential for scientists to study melting ice. The new submarine will continue this important research to understand how fast the ice is melting and its impact on sea levels.
