An uncrewed submersible from the University of Gothenburg has disappeared while exploring the Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica. The submersible, named Ran, was being used to study the potential effects of the glacier on sea-level rise. Despite extensive search efforts, the submersible has not been located. Ran, which was 23 feet long, vanished last month after submerging under Antarctica. It was one of three scientific submersibles of its kind, unlike the Titan submersible, which imploded with five passengers on board during a descent to explore the Titanic wreck, Ran was uncrewed when it mysteriously disappeared. The disappearance of the Ran submersible is a significant setback for climate change research, as scientists were utilizing the autonomous machine to study the melting activity of the Thwaites Glacier, also known as the “Doomsday Glacier.” The University of Gothenburg acquired Ran for 38 million Swedish Krona, which amounts to about $3.6 million in USD, in 2015, as per the university’s press release. “This was the second time we took Ran to Thwaites Glacier to document the area under the ice,” said Anna Wåhlin, project lead and professor of physical oceanography at the University of Gothenburg. Ran was a unique type of submersible that enabled researchers to investigate depths previously considered unreachable. It could dive hundreds of feet underwater to explore the underbellies of glaciers and assist scientists in studying glacial melting due to climate change. “Even if you see melting and movements in the ice from satellite data, from Ran we get close-ups of the underside of the ice and information about exactly which mechanisms are behind the melting,” Wåhlin mentioned in the press release. The Thwaites Glacier, also known as the “Doomsday Glacier,” is one of the world’s largest glaciers and could significantly raise global sea levels if it collapses entirely. Its melting currently contributes to about 4% of global sea-level rise, and if it were to collapse entirely, global sea levels would increase by 25 inches. Ran, unlike other remotely operated uncrewed underwater vehicles, navigates these depths autonomously. Its route is pre-programmed, and it employs a navigation system to find its way back to the surface after completing a dive. During its most recent mission, Ran was collecting close-up imaging and data of the Thwaites’ underside when the researchers lost contact with it. It never resurfaced at its pre-programmed return point. The research team utilized acoustic search equipment, helicopters, and drones in their efforts to find Ran, but all were unsuccessful. “At this point, Ran’s batteries are dead. All we know is that something unexpected happened under the ice. We suspect it ran into trouble, and then something prevented it from getting out,” said Wåhlin. All search efforts have been called off at this time, as confirmed by Louise Newman, ship manager for the University of Gothenburg. “The Korean vessel IB Aaron has left the region and there is no chance for any further search. Unfortunately, it is gone,” Newman stated in an email to Business Insider. The University’s Department of Marine Sciences aims to replace Ran eventually and continue their expeditions at Thwaites. “Thanks to Ran, we became the first researchers in the world to enter Thwaites in 2019. The data we receive from Ran is unique in the world, and of great value for international research,” Wåhlin added.
