Select an Ice Core

How can scientists measure the temperature of the planet thousands of years ago?

Historical temperatures cannot be measured directly. It is through measuring the subtle changes in isotope ratios that previous temperatures can be determined.



Site: Summit, Greenland
Researcher: Langway,C.C.
Year of Formation: 1972-1903 AD

Site: GISP2(B+D), Greenland
Researcher: Stuiver,M, & Bender,M.
Year of Formation: 1987-818 AD

Site: Crete, Greenland
Researcher: Clausen,H.B.
Year of Formation: 1974-553 AD

Site: Dye 2, Greenland
Researcher: Langway,C.C.
Year of Formation: 1974-1743 AD

Site: Milcent, Greenland
Researcher: Clausen,H.B.
Year of Formation: 1967-1176 AD

The sample choices listed above were taken at various locations on the Greenland Ice Sheet. The samples vary in depth and age;
select a sample to continue.

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