Free Republic

Scientists have drilled 1.7 miles deep into Antarctica, pulling up an ice core sample that dates back at least 1.2 million years. They expect the sample to offer new insights into the evolution of Earth’s climate and atmosphere throughout history. A team of 16 scientists and support staffers spent four summers drilling through Antarctic ice until they finally reached bedrock. To accomplish their goal, they endured average temperatures of -25.6 degrees Fahrenheit at a site known as Little Dome C, located near Concordia Research Station. They removed the ice core in pieces, which they will load onto an icebreaker ship...