The submersible was exploring the Thwaites Glacier to study its potential effects on sea-level rise. Ran's disappearance is a tragic loss for climate change research as scientists were using the autonomous machine to study the melting activity of Thwaites Glacier, also known as the "Doomsday Glacier." AdvertisementThat's why Wåhlin and her team chose Ran to check out Thwaites Glacier because it's actively melting. The Thwaites Glacier is one of the largest in the world and could raise global sea levels significantly if it collapses entirely. AdvertisementA gigantic cavity nearly 1,000 feet tall growing at the bottom of Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica.

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Persons: Ran, Thwaites, It's, Anna Wåhlin, Olof Lönnehed, University of Gothenburg Ran, Wåhlin, NASA Thwaites, Louise Newman, Jeremy Harbeck, Aaron, Newman Organizations: University of Gothenburg, Service, Titan, NASA, University's Department of Marine Sciences Locations: Antarctica, West Antarctica