Recommendations for a U.S. Ice Coring Program

This report presents recommendations from the ad hoc Panel on Polar Ice Coring. The panel was formed under the Polar Research Board's Committee on Glaciology to (1) assess the U.S. scientific capabilities in ice core drilling and core analysis from a national and international perspective; (2) recommend an appropriate balance between capabilities in shallow, intermediate, and deep drilling, based on the most compelling scientific opportunities and realistic assessments of technological problems and available resources; (3) recommend ice core analysis techniques that could advantageously be developed in the United States; (4) recommend an action plan for achieving the desired ice core drilling and ice core analysis capabilities; and (5) set guidelines for the development of policies for international agreements requisite for cooperative ice core programs, drill site selection, and science plan development.