Researchers have successfully drilled almost 2 miles into the Antarctic ice to extract a 1.2 million-year-old ice core.

A global group of researchers has announced the successful extraction of one of the oldest ice cores ever, having drilled nearly 2 miles down to the Antarctic bedrock to access ice that dates back at least 1.2 million years. This ambitious project, known as Beyond EPICA, was wrapped up in January with funding from European sources. The examination of this ancient ice is expected to reveal insights into the historical shifts in Earth's atmosphere and climate. Such findings could shed light on the variations in glacial and Ice Age cycles, as well as periods when atmospheric carbon levels influenced the planet's climate.