Norwegian and Estonian researchers have developed a method to map hidden meltwater paths in glaciers. Having a better understanding of how water moves inside and under the glaciers helps to better predict the motion, melting rates, and possible sudden collapses of glaciers. The small floating drifters, about the shape, size, and weight of an average cucumber, are equipped with accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers which register the motion of the float and a satellite receiver and radio bacon for registering its position when they disappear into the glacier and reappear at the glacier outlet. As a GPS signal cannot penetrate ice, the location of the drifter cannot be registered with a GPS receiver. The only signals that the drifter records are the acceleration and rotation of its own body with respect to the magnetic field of the Earth. Dr. Laura Piho, a mathematician from TalTech, used AI methods to analyze those signals …
