Ran discovered the structures in 2022, but the research findings have only recently beenpublishedinScience Advances.
Its a bit like seeing the back of the moon for the first time.
The team also found indications of high melt in vertical fractures throughout the glacier.
Weird teardrop-shapd structures on the underside of the ice shelf.Image: Filip Stedt/University of Gothenburg
Unfortunately, Ran should probably be renamed Run given its untimely disappearance.
In January 2024, the team went back to the Dotson shelf to repeat the surveys.
But after just one dive, Ran disappeared on its next routine run beneath the shelf.
The Ran submersible, which has since disappeared. Photo: Filip Stedt
Although we got valuable data back, we did not get all we had hoped for, Wahlin said.
We hope to be able to replace Ran and continue this important work.
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