$$ Scientists drill nearly 2 miles down to pull 1.2 million-year-old ice core from Antarctic





A team of international scientists has successfully drilled one of the deepest and oldest ice cores ever recovered, reaching nearly two miles (2.8 kilometers) down to Antarctic bedrock. The ice, estimated to be at least 1.2 million years old, was extracted as part of the Beyond EPICA project, offering unprecedented insights into Earth’s atmospheric and climatic history.

The team believes that the ancient ice will help scientists better understand how the atmosphere and climate have evolved over time, particularly changes in Ice Age cycles and the role of greenhouse gases in driving climate shifts. Carlo Barbante, an Italian glaciologist and project coordinator, highlighted the importance of the discovery. According to Barbante, the ice core will provide critical data on changes in atmospheric composition, including greenhouse gases, dust, and chemicals.

Drilling began at a site called Little Dome C, located near Concordia Research Station, in one of the coldest regions on Earth, where temperatures average around minus-35 degrees Celsius (minus-25.6 degrees Fahrenheit) during the summer. Over four years, a team of 16 scientists and support staff worked to extract the core, marking a monumental achievement when they reached bedrock in January.

Federico Scoto, an Italian glaciologist and technician, expressed the team's excitement upon completing the drilling. Isotope analysis confirmed that the ice dates back at least 1.2 million years. Scoto also noted that the findings align with data from the previous EPICA campaign, which revealed that even during the warmest periods of the last 800,000 years, greenhouse gas concentrations never reached the levels observed today.

The project underscores the stark reality of current climate change. Barbante pointed out that modern carbon dioxide levels are 50% higher than the peak levels recorded in the last 800,000 years, highlighting the dramatic impact of industrialization on the atmosphere. Beyond EPICA, funded by the European Union with support from various European nations, aims to advance understanding of these critical changes.

The implications of this discovery extend beyond climate science. Richard Alley, a Penn State climate scientist and National Medal of Science recipient, praised the accomplishment, noting that ice cores provide invaluable insights into past climate conditions and inform contemporary discussions about human contributions to climate change. Alley also emphasized the potential for learning more about Earth's history beyond the immediate ice record.

"This is truly, truly, amazingly fantastic," said Alley. "They will learn wonderful things."

The research is expected to yield significant findings as scientists analyze the core further, unraveling the complex interactions between atmospheric components and climate over the millennia. The success of Beyond EPICA not only sets a benchmark for future glaciological studies but also deepens our understanding of Earth's environmental history, providing a clearer perspective on how to navigate the challenges of climate change today.

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