Source: BBC News [UK State Media]
“What is probably the world’s oldest ice, dating back 1.2m years ago, has been dug out from deep within Antarctica. Working at temperatures of -35C, a team of scientists extracted a 2.8km-long cylinder, or core, of ice – longer than eight Eiffel Towers end-to-end. Suspended inside the ice are ancient air bubbles which scientists hope will help solve an enduring mystery about our planet’s climate history. The European scientists worked over four Antarctic summers, racing against seven nations to be first to reach the rock under the frozen continent. Their work could help unravel one of the major mysteries in our planet’s climate history – what happened 900,000-1.2 million years ago when glacial cycles were disrupted and some researchers say our ancestors came close to extinction. ‘It’s an amazing achievement,’ says Prof Carlo Barbante at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice who coordinated the research.” (01/09/25)