In Antarctica, scientists have extracted an ice core nearly 3 kilometers long, reaching ice that is at least 1.2 million years old. The research aims to provide insights into Earth’s atmospheric and climate changes over time.
Glaciologist Carlo Barbante highlights the significance of the core in understanding when the ice age began on Antarctica and the transition of ice age cycles from every 41,000 years to every 120,000 years. A layer between the ice and bedrock at 2.8 kilometers depth contains sediment, microorganisms, viruses, and bacteria, offering potential insights into historical life development.
The extraction was a technologically advanced operation, with scientists working in shifts under extreme conditions, never warmer than -26 degrees Celsius. Previous core analysis indicates that greenhouse gas concentrations, such as carbon dioxide and methane, have never exceeded levels seen since the Industrial Revolution.
“Today, we see carbon dioxide levels 50% higher than the highest levels of the past 800,000 years,” says Barbante. The ice is being cut into smaller pieces, transported by sled to the Antarctic edge, and then shipped to Europe for further study, with research expected to conclude in two years.
Source: NOS