How Are Ice Cores Collected?

Extracting ice core samples requires a specialized drill. The drill cuts away ice around the desired core. The core, ranging from 4-6m in length, is retrieved once the drill has cut as deep as possible.


Complications arise as the drill goes deeper, due to an increase in pressure from the ice sheet. To overcome this issue, a fluid fills the void as the drill is removed, preventing the core hole from collapsing. Since researchers are looking for trace quantities of various compounds, the fluid must be cleaned off.