A Scientific Expedition to Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier Deals With Weather Hiccups

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Raymond ZhongJanuary 13, 2026 at 11:03 AM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

A scientific expedition to Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier is facing weather-related delays. The 10-person team aboard the icebreaker Araon aims to drill deep into the glacier to investigate its alarming melt rate. Helicopter flights are essential for transporting scientists and equipment to the drilling site, located a short 20-minute flight from the ship. However, rapidly changing Antarctic weather, including low clouds and poor visibility, has repeatedly grounded the helicopters. Pilots are prioritizing safety, turning back when conditions make it difficult to distinguish the horizon. The team is working to proceed with the research as weather permits.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Chang W. Lee ×360% Dominic O'Rourke ×370% Araon ×275% Antarctica ×285% Thwaites Glacier ×695%

Keywords

thwaites glacier 100% antarctica 90% scientific expedition 80% melting glacier 70% weather conditions 70% helicopter 60% drilling 50% icebreaker araon 40%