We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Environment

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are Ice Cores?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: Jun 04, 2024
Views: 16,215
Share

Ice cores are cylindrical samples of ice removed from ice sheets and glaciers. Because ice cores are taken from regions which remain frozen year-round, they contain detailed information about the history of the Earth's climate, for those who know how to look. Paleoclimatologists often study ice cores extensively to gather data about major climate events and to piece together patterns in the Earth's meteorological history. Ice cores can be found in storage in numerous research facilities and archives.

In order to take a core sample from ice, researchers must find an area with significant ice deposits, ideally an area where ice has been present for thousands of years. The polar ice caps are a prime location for taking ice cores, as are some permanent glaciers. The researchers drill into the ice with specialized equipment, using a liquid to maintain pressure so that the hole does not collapse, and they remove samples of ice from the hole and bag them for further study.

These samples must be handled with care, to ensure that they are not contaminated by the modern climate. Because ice cores often experience radical pressure changes when they are pulled to the surface, researchers must first allow them to “relax” at extremely low temperatures so that they do not shatter. At all times, the ice cores must be kept scrupulously clean, and when the cores are finally ready for study, they are handled in a clean room to reduce the risk of contamination.

Viewed in cross-section, an ice core has a series of layers representing decades of snowfall. Each layer can be used to gather information about that year's climate. Ice can trap particulate materials like pollutants and ash, along with radioactive isotopes, and various levels of dissolved chemicals. Using ice cores, researchers can see what the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels were like historically. They can also find clues like pollen and dust in ice cores which could be used to estimate the prevailing wind direction in any given year, and to learn more about what was happening on other parts of Earth.

When examining ice cores, one of the key issues is accurate dating. Without a solid date to work with, the data is not terribly helpful. Dating can be accomplished by physically counting back layers, much like one does with tree rings. It can also be done by analyzing levels of isotopes in the ice and comparing the levels to known ice samples, or by looking for key layers in the ice which could be used to extrapolate. For example, when Krakatoa erupted in 1883, it distributed volcanic ash all over the world, leaving a tell-tale trace in ice cores from this era.

Share
All Things Nature is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a All Things Nature researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By anon346014 — On Aug 24, 2013

What are the temperatures of the various layers of and ice core? I mean, if you go from 10 meters deep, to 500 m deep, does the temperature of the core change? I'm confused about the answer because as you go deeper the pressure increases and temperatures should increase too, but then the ice could melt? It's not clear in my mind what the right answer is. Thanks.

By anon300101 — On Oct 28, 2012

Where are ice cores specifically found on earth?

A)in the ocean; B)on ice sheets; C)deep in the Earth's crust.

By anon203617 — On Aug 06, 2011

This helped a lot. Thanks.

By anon163718 — On Mar 28, 2011

How do they obtain the climate info from the ice cores?

By anon159696 — On Mar 13, 2011

I would like to know where they keep ice cores! This doesn't help!

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.allthingsnature.org/what-are-ice-cores.htm
Copy this link
All Things Nature, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

All Things Nature, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.