Scientists successfully test an unmanned underwater vehicle beneath Antarctic sea ice

The video discusses SEABED, an unmanned underwater vehicle (UAV) designed to create high-resolution 3D maps of Antarctic sea ice. SEABED has mapped previously inaccessible areas, helping scientists understand sea ice growth and melting processes, particularly in the rapidly shrinking Bellinghausen Sea. Built by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, SEABED uses sonar technology to map under ice, supported by NSF. The data enhances estimates of ice thickness and volume, marking a step towards routine underwater measurements. The project is a collaborative effort involving NSF, Australian, and British research institutions.

What is the primary function of the SEABED UAV?

• To map the surface of the Antarctic continent

• To create high-resolution 3D maps of Antarctic sea ice

• To track the movement of Antarctic wildlife

• To measure the temperature of Antarctic waters

Which institution was responsible for building and operating SEABED?

• Antarctic Climate and Ecosystem Cooperative Research Center

• Institute of Antarctic and Marine Science

• British Antarctic Survey

• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

What technology does SEABED use to map under the ice?

• Upward looking sonar

• Laser scanning

• Thermal cameras

• Satellite imaging

What is one of the main goals of SEABED's deployment?

• To map the entire Antarctic coastline

• To increase the speed of underwater vehicles

• To improve estimates of ice thickness and sea ice volume

• To reduce the cost of Antarctic expeditions

Which organizations collaborated in testing SEABED?

• NSF, NASA, and NOAA

• Institute of Antarctic and Marine Science, NASA, and NOAA

• British Antarctic Survey, NASA, and NOAA

• NSF, Institute of Antarctic and Marine Science, and British Antarctic Survey