Ice cored from deep in the poles holds a diary of Earth’s climate. Bubbles trapped in the ice preserve ancient air, revealing past temperatures and greenhouse gases. New cores push the record back further.
Air in ice
The archive is frozen. Bubbles trap ancient atmosphere. Composition is preserved.
Temperature record
History is read. Isotopes reveal past temperatures. Cycles emerge.
Greenhouse link
The tie is direct. Carbon dioxide tracks warmth across ages. Physics is confirmed.
Older cores
Depth extends time. New drilling reaches older ice. The record lengthens.
Rapid shifts
Warnings appear. The past shows abrupt climate changes. Lessons are sobering.
Ongoing effort
Work continues. Teams drill in remote regions. Data accumulate.
The bottom line
Ancient ice cores trap old air and reveal past temperatures and greenhouse gases, confirming the climate-carbon link. New cores extend the record and show abrupt shifts. Drilling efforts continue.