Oldest ice on Earth discovered in Antarctica.
Scientists find 6-million-year-old ice in Antarctica, offering a glimpse into Earth's past climate.
Why it matters
- Provides unprecedented insight into Earth's past climate.
- Helps understand climate from a period with warmer temperatures and higher sea levels.
By the numbers
- Ice is 6 million years old.
- Research led by Sarah Shackleton and John Higgins.
- Reveals a 12°C cooling over the last 6 million years.
The big picture
- Significant for COLDEX project exploring Antarctic ice sheet.
- Discovery exceeds expectations of finding ice up to 3 million years old.
- Ongoing research aims to reconstruct greenhouse gases and ocean heat content.
What they're saying
- Sarah Shackleton: "Ice cores are like time machines."
- Ed Brook: Discovery has far exceeded expectations.
Caveats
- Records from old ice are not continuous but provide snapshots.
- Exact conditions for ancient ice survival near surface still being studied.
What’s next
- More drilling planned in Allan Hills.
- Comprehensive study planned between 2026 and 2031.