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Thwaites Glacier Drilling Halted by Trapped Equipment

2/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Researchers from the British Antarctic Survey and the Korea Polar Research Institute halted drilling into Thwaites Glacier after instruments were trapped about 1,000 meters deep.
The mission aimed to measure how warm ocean waters contribute to ice melting.
Preliminary data show turbulent conditions and warm waters beneath the glacier.
Weather forced the abandonment of the equipment within a limited time, with implications for future work.

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Story summary

Researchers from the British Antarctic Survey and the Korea Polar Research Institute halted drilling into Thwaites Glacier after instruments were trapped about 1,000 meters deep.
The mission aimed to measure how warm ocean waters contribute to ice melting.
Preliminary data show turbulent conditions and warm waters beneath the glacier.
Weather forced the abandonment of the equipment within a limited time, with implications for future work.