Anna Wåhlin receives 50 million SEK for research beneath Antarctic ice shelves

The goal of Anna Wåhlin's project is to carry out previously impossible observations beneath two of the fastest melting glaciers in West Antarctica: Thwaites and Getz.

These key areas are largely unexplored since they are difficult to access, and the only way to observe the processes beneath the glaciers is with autonomous underwater vehicles – AUVs – equipped with customised artificial intelligence that can both overcome unforeseen obstacles, and handle long missions without contact with surface vessels.

The AUV will navigate West Antarctic ice cavities

“We will use an AUV with the capacity to navigate into the West Antarctic ice cavities. There, the AUV will map the oceanfloor; the ice thickness and structure; and occurrence of meltwater channels beneath the Thwaites and Getz glaciers,” says Anna Wåhlin, , professor in oceanography at the Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg.

Based on the new data sets, Anna Wåhlin will develop research about the ocean processes that deliver heat to the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. These will be supplemented by moorings on the ocean floor that measure ocean currents over time. The data sets will be interpreted based on theoretical bounds for heat flux into the ice shelf cavities, developed in parallel.

Perform extensive beforehand tests from R/V Skagerak

“It’s very rewarding that the Swedish Research Council dares to make such a long-term investment in such an unusual and high-risk research area. It’s great to be able to make long-term plans, and to be able to build a research group around these issues,” says Anna Wåhlin.

“I’m also happy that the University of Gothenburg has a brand new and state-of-the-art research vessel – R/V Skagerak – because we need to perform extensive beforehand tests of the AUV before we deploy it into Antarctic waters. Expeditions to the Antarctica are huge investments, and it’s important to perform as many tests as possible at home, in safer waters, and closer to land. R/V Skagerak is perfect for this,” says Anna Wåhlin.

Text: Annika Wall