Scientists have successfully extracted what is likely the world's oldest ice, dating back 1.2 million years, from deep within Antarctica.
Working in extreme conditions of -35 degree C, the team drilled a 2.8km-long ice core, containing ancient air bubbles that could provide valuable insights into Earth's climate history.
"By analysing these, we can reconstruct how Earth's climate responded to changes in climate forcing factors, such as solar radiation, volcanic activity, and orbital variations.
Scientists are also hopeful that the ice will help them understand why the chronology of Earth's ice ages abruptly changed around a million years ago.
Over the past four summers, specialists from 12 European scientific institutes have drilled and processed the ice for more than 200 days.

1.2 Million Years Old Ice Found In Antarctica. Why It's A "Time Machine"