Hidden structures were discovered beneath the ice of Antarctica, after which an underwater vehicle vanished without a trace.

Under the ice of Antarctica, an advanced underwater device discovered astonishing underwater structures that could fundamentally alter our understanding of polar ice. However, as soon as the groundbreaking mission reached new depths, the underwater device vanished without a trace, reports Daily Galaxy.

The unusual discovery was made beneath the Davidson Ice Shelf in West Antarctica, where the researchers' underwater device also mysteriously disappeared.

In 2022, a team of scientists from around the globe, led by oceanography expert Anna Wåhlin, set out to explore the underwater world beneath the Davidson Ice Shelf. The primary tool for this investigation was the RAN device, measuring 6.1 meters in length. It was designed for harsh polar conditions, equipped with advanced sensors and a multibeam sonar capable of mapping ice and the seafloor with unprecedented detail.

Over the course of 27 days, the RAN traveled nearly 1,000 kilometers, including a 16-kilometer exploration of the ice shelf's cavities. The findings of the RAN were quite unexpected.

The device detected teardrop-shaped formations on the underside of the ice, seemingly carved by underwater currents. The RAN also observed intricate patterns of erosion on ice plateaus, revealing a complex water dynamic.

Additionally, significant differences in melting rates between the eastern and western parts of the shelf were discovered, influenced by subsurface currents.

Encouraged by the success of the mission, the team returned to the same location in 2024 to continue their research. However, during one of the dives, something unexpected occurred.

According to researchers, the RAN device is programmed to surface at a predetermined location. Yet the device never appeared, and despite an organized search mission, no traces of the device could be found.

Several hypotheses were proposed by the researchers. Firstly, the device may have encountered an unknown underwater formation that could have captured or damaged the RAN. There is also the possibility of interference from marine animals, such as seals, which often interact with underwater equipment.

It is also possible that an accident occurred due to a technical malfunction, resulting in the device losing orientation or control in a challenging environment.

"Working in Antarctica is always challenging, but the loss of the RAN is a significant setback. Nevertheless, this mission is part of broader efforts to study the changing climate on the planet," noted the leader of the scientific mission.

Despite the loss of the device, the data collected by the RAN during previous missions remains invaluable. These results demonstrated the dynamics of ice shelf melting caused by subsurface currents. Understanding this process is crucial, as ice shelves prevent land glaciers from sliding into the ocean, which would lead to rising sea levels.

Let us remind you that the Doomsday Glacier is melting faster than expected. Researchers believe that the world is approaching a tipping point in the climate crisis, and only extreme measures can help us now.