How long do we have until sea level rise swallows coastal cities? This fleet of ocean robots will help find out

A team of rocket scientists is developing autonomous underwater robots to explore deep beneath Antarctica’s ice shelves. The robots aim to study the speed at which ice is melting and its potential impact on sea level rise. In a recent project, a cylindrical robot was deployed into the icy waters of the Beaufort Sea to gather data. The plan is to release a fleet of these robots in Antarctica, where they will attach to the ice and collect data over extended periods. This research is crucial as Antarctica’s ice may be melting in new and concerning ways, with significant implications for coastal communities. The team aims to understand the melting process at the grounding line, where warm ocean water erodes the ice underneath. The robots, about 8 feet long and 10 inches in diameter, will be released into the water and guided by ocean currents to their destination. Equipped with sensors, they will monitor the melting process and transmit data by satellite once they detach from the ice. This data will contribute to improving sea level rise projections. The development of these robots is ongoing, and tests are planned before their deployment in Antarctica.