Climate scientists are rejoicing over a huge breakthrough in climate science! They have already introduced the inaugural samples from their Million Year Ice Core project, which is headed by Dr Joel Pedro. The team balances the challenges of working 3,000 meters above sea level in Antarctica. They hope to find ice that is up to 2 million years old, which would provide us with extremely detailed information about Earth’s climate history. Once the temperatures fall below -50 degrees Celsius, that’s when the team of researchers emerge. To do this, they’ve created a sub-zero freezer lab to section and prepare the ice cores for transport.
The team marks a big day with the removal of the first ice core section. Scientists Etienne Gros, Chris Plummer, and field assistant Chelsea Long share in the excitement of this historic moment. Each sample was carefully packed into insulated boxes and flown to Australia for further detailed analysis.
The Journey to the Ice Core
The expedition was met with incredible logistical hurdles. With incredible determination, the team transported close to 600 tons of equipment across the treacherous frozen terrain by trekked by vehicle using six tractors. Their amazing team assembled the drill shelter in only 10 days. Their resolve and professionalism were certainly on display as their efforts in hugely challenging conditions cut through to loads of ice.
Dr. Pedro expressed his excitement regarding the project, stating, “The start to the project was easily the most exciting thing that’s happened in my science career.” He acknowledged the extensive work still ahead, noting, “It’s just the start of the project — we’ve got 3 kilometers to go.”
As they balance their new high-flying goals, the team aims to start drilling again in the summer of 2025/26. They hope to achieve the 3,000m ceiling by 2028/29. For this achievement, they will gain privileges to some of the oldest ice on Earth.
Insights into Climate History
Through this research, scientists hope to learn more about the development of Earth’s atmosphere over time. It does this by studying atmospheric gas samples preserved in polar ice cores. Dr. Pedro elaborated on this crucial aspect of their work: “Those air bubbles are a sample of the atmosphere in the past that was trapped as snow fell and was then compressed into ice.”
He further explained the importance of ice cores in understanding climate change, stating, “More than any other archive of climate in the past, [ice cores have] a range of information that helps you to understand the changes in the total climate system.” With these discoveries, the team aims to build a detailed climate record going more than a million years back in time.
Chelsea Long reflected on the significance of their achievement, saying, “It was really celebratory when it came out and just finally to see this happening and to touch the ice and measure it was a real joy.”
The Importance of Climate Research
In a time of climate crisis, initiatives such as the Million Year Ice Core project are more important and necessary than ever. Dr. Pedro emphasized this in his remarks, stating, “In this time of uncertainty, projects like these are incredibly important.” He was very enthusiastic about the research location at Dome C North. Modeling suggests that this site is ideal for retrieving old ice.
If we can get this record — and the modeling suggests [Dome C North] is the best site in Antarctica for recovering [the] oldest ice — then we’ll produce data that will stand for decades as the measurement of Earth’s atmosphere [and] greenhouse gas levels through that period, Dr. Pedro stated.
Finally, the tapestry of collaborative intention and spirit among members of the team has been a defining characteristic and ingredient to success. Chris Gallagher remarked on their camaraderie: “We were like a big family [on] this trip.” This fierce loyalty to one another has driven their tenacity and resolve to continue even in the face of the overwhelming odds stacked against them.
