Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery at an Antarctic outpost, excavating a 2,800-meter long ice core that contains preserved pockets of Earth’s air from over 1.2 million years ago. This is the first time such direct evidence has been found in ice cores, which previously provided information on climate and environment up to 800,000 years ago.
The international team used advanced technology, including radar and computer modeling, to locate the ancient ice. The drilling campaign was part of a larger effort called “Beyond EPICA – Oldest Ice,” aimed at understanding the planet’s past climate and environmental science.
The new discovery is significant because it will shed light on the Mid-Pleistocene Transition, a period lasting 900,000 to 1.2 million years ago when glacial cycles slowed down significantly. Scientists believe this shift remains one of climate science’s greatest mysteries.
The team plans to transport the ice core back to laboratories in Europe and analyze it using specialized containers to maintain a cold chain. The logistics of the project pose significant challenges due to the extreme temperatures in Antarctica.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/scientists-just-excavated-unprecedented-specimen-100000064.html