Short Wave The Hunt For The World's Oldest Ice
Jan 7, 2021
Nell Greenfieldboyce, an NPR science correspondent passionate about climate change, discusses the thrilling quest for the world’s oldest ice hidden in Antarctica. She highlights how ancient ice holds vital atmospheric records that reveal Earth's climate history. Delving into innovative techniques for analyzing trapped air bubbles, Nell shares the significance of these findings in understanding climate change. She also addresses how COVID-19 has impacted Antarctic research, posing challenges but igniting renewed determination among scientists.
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Ancient Ice and Air Bubbles
- Scientists study ancient ice for trapped air bubbles, offering snapshots of Earth's past atmosphere.
- Melting the ice releases these gases, revealing historical greenhouse gas levels and climate change patterns.
Melting Ancient Ice for Coffee
- Nell Greenfieldboyce shares an anecdote of researchers casually melting 200,000-year-old ice for drinking water in Antarctica.
- While seemingly mundane, this act highlights the accessibility of these ancient air bubbles.
Where to Find Old Ice
- The oldest ice isn't necessarily at the very bottom of ice sheets due to geothermal heat from bedrock.
- It's often found at the edges, where it may be protected from melting and pushed upwards.