Unexplainable Ice Sheet Time Machine
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Aug 27, 2025 Richard Alley, a renowned geoscientist from Pennsylvania State University, dives into the secrets of the Camp Century ice core, linked to a U.S. Army project in the '50s. He reveals how this underground city holds a 100,000-year climate history and uncovers vital lessons about past environmental changes. The discussion highlights the implications of rising sea levels and the necessity for public investment in climate research, all while showcasing the thrill of scientific discovery and its relevance to our changing world.
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They Reached Bedrock And Broke Records
- In 1966 Camp Century researchers finally reached the bottom of the mile-thick ice and recovered sediment beneath it.
- That core extended climate records to roughly 100,000 years and revolutionized understanding of past climate variability.
Ice Revealed Abrupt Climate Swings
- Analysis of water molecules in ice cores lets scientists reconstruct past temperatures with surprising precision.
- Dansgaard's work showed climate can shift abruptly, overturning assumptions of only slow gradual change.
Air Bubbles Reveal Ancient Atmosphere
- Trapped gas bubbles in ice provide direct samples of ancient atmospheres and greenhouse gas levels.
- These measurements help link greenhouse gases to past warming and improve future projections.
