The End: From Field Data to Global Impact

By early February 2026, the SANAP field campaign entered its final phase, completing measurements and preparing for extraction ahead of worsening weather.

Temporary GNSS stations along the calving front were recovered, allowing detailed mapping of ice velocities across the ice shelf. Advanced radar surveys also measured ice thickness and internal crystal orientation, improving models of ice flow and fracture behaviour.

Seismic equipment was retrieved after weeks of recording, capturing data on both controlled signals and natural fracture events. These datasets will support detailed imaging of ice-shelf structure and zones of weakness.

As severe weather approached, the team secured equipment, dismantled installations, and restored the camp site, marking the successful completion of a productive campaign.

The project’s findings will improve predictions of Antarctic ice loss and future sea-level rise, with implications for global climate systems, coastal communities, and ecosystems. As fieldwork ends, long-term data analysis begins.