An international team of scientists has drilled an exceptionally old ice core in Antarctica, reaching ice estimated to be at least 1.2 million years old. This groundbreaking discovery promises crucial insights into Earth's climate evolution. Analysis of the core will reveal how atmospheric composition and climate patterns have changed over vast periods, potentially shedding light on past ice age cycles and the impact of atmospheric carbon on climate.
The 2.8-kilometer (1.7-mile) deep core, drilled at Little Dome C, required a four-year effort by a 16-person team working in extreme Antarctic conditions (average -35°C). The team, led by Italian glaciologist Carlo Barbante, previously drilled a core dating back 800,000 years.
Isotope analysis confirms the core's age, marking a significant advancement in our understanding of Earth's climate history. Preliminary findings suggest greenhouse gas concentrations, like carbon dioxide and methane, have never exceeded current levels seen since the Industrial Revolution, despite past warm periods over the last 800,000 years.
The core's analysis could be crucial for understanding how atmospheric composition has influenced climate change throughout history and, by extension, how human activities are contributing to current climate change. Importantly, the core’s depth may also reveal historical data beyond atmospheric compositions, offering a broader view of Earth's past.
The European Union, along with other nations, funded this research. Independent climate scientist Richard Alley, while not involved in the project, praised the advancement. He noted the importance of ice core studies in understanding past and present climate trends. "This is truly a fantastic opportunity to learn wonderful things about our planet's history," he said.
