Speedy Antarctic drills start hunt for Earth's oldest ice

Title Speedy Antarctic drills start hunt for Earth's oldest ice
Publication Type
Journal Article
Year
2016
Author(s) Quirin Schiermeier
Journal/ Publication
Nature
Volume
540
Pagination
18-19
Date Published
Abstract

As the short Antarctic spring ends and long summer days approach, geo­scientists are flocking to the frozen continent to start a new kind of exploration.

In December, the first drill designed to search for a scientifically useful sample of ice that is at least 1.5 million years old will begin its work. It is part of a broader effort to locate the best place to extract a core containing Earth’s oldest ice, which would help to reveal how climate has shaped the planet’s past and how to predict future fluctuations.

URL
Categories Deep Drilling
Equipment Rapid Access Ice Drill (RAID), Rapid Access Isotope Drill (UK RAID), SUBGLACIOR probe
Citation Quirin Schiermeier ( 2016 ) Speedy Antarctic drills start hunt for Earth's oldest ice. Nature , 540 , 18-19 .
Lead Author
Quirin Schiermeier