How Are Ice Cores Preserved?
The initial transport of the ice cores from their drill site to the laboratory is a tricky but critical step. The samples need to be kept at very cold temperatures so a freezer truck is used, with a back up waiting in case the first truck fails.
Once at the storage facility, the sample is stored in sealed 1m segments. The ice core storage facilities have demanding requirements to properly preserve the samples. An example of this facility is the National Ice Core Laboratory located in Denver, Colorado. The ice core storage area (left) has a room temperature of -35oC to preserve samples.
Even when working with the samples, low temperatures need to be maintained. Some cores are available to experienced researchers upon detailed request.
