Scientists have opened a new ice core sanctuary in Antarctica, creating a unique archive of frozen history from glaciers around the world. The facility,built near the franco-Italian Concordia research station,aims to preserve invaluable climate data as glaciers rapidly disappear due to global warming. These ice cores, some dating back 20,000 years, offer a detailed record of earth’s past atmospheric conditions and are critical for understanding and projecting future climate change impacts.
A new sanctuary designed to preserve samples from mountain glaciers has opened in Antarctica, aiming to safeguard a record of these icy giants as they face threats from climate change.
Located near the Franco-Italian Concordia research station on the remote Antarctic plateau, the facility will serve as a long-term archive for ice cores collected from around the globe. The project underscores the growing urgency to document the impact of climate change on vulnerable ecosystems.
The ice cores are stored at a depth of approximately 33 feet, in an environment where temperatures consistently reach -54 degrees Fahrenheit. These extreme conditions are expected to remain stable for centuries, even with continued global warming.
Cores, some reaching up to 330 feet in length and segmented into roughly three-foot sections, have been gathered from glaciers in regions particularly susceptible to climate change. Samples originate from locations including Bolivia, Russia, Tanzania, Norway, and Switzerland, creating a comprehensive scientific collection.
A 20,000-Year Climate Record
These ice cores contain an exceptional climate memory, with some samples dating back as far as 20,000 years. Trapped within the ice are air bubbles, chemical elements, bacteria, and even viruses, offering scientists invaluable insights into the planet’s past.
“These cores will be preserved here forever for future generations of scientists who, in 100 years, will want to see what the current and past climate was like,” explained Carlo Barbante, Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the University of Ca’ Foscari in Venice and Vice-President of the Ice Memory Foundation. “They will have an extraordinary resource to study here with methods we can’t even imagine today.”
The preservation of these cores is considered critical, as climate change is already destroying portions of these natural archives. Analyzing ice cores has been instrumental in understanding climate change, with studies dating back to the 1980s establishing a link between rising temperatures and increased atmospheric CO2 levels, highlighting the impact of human activity on the climate.
Ensuring Long-Term Governance
The scientific program, launched a decade ago, aims to establish a global library of mountain glacier samples. Scientists hope to store samples from at least 20 glaciers for decades to come.
However, achieving this goal depends on establishing robust governance for the site. Thomas Stocker, Professor of Climate and Environmental Physics at the University of Bern, emphasized the importance of international cooperation. “Placing this ice core sanctuary under an international treaty would establish a common responsibility for this unique heritage, guarantee its long-term existence, and ensure equitable access for future researchers,” he said.
Reportage TV: Olivier Dessibourg
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