Paleoclimatology: The Ice Core Record : Feature Articles. As valuable as the temperature record may be, the real treasure buried in the ice is a record of the atmosphere’s characteristics.
When snow forms, it crystallizes around tiny particles in the atmosphere, which fall to the ground with the snow. The type and amount of trapped particles, such as dust, volcanic ash, smoke, or pollen, tell scientists about the climate and environmental conditions when the snow formed. As the snow settles on the ice, air fills the space between the ice crystals. When the snow gets packed down by subsequent layers, the space between the crystals is eventually sealed off, trapping a small sample of the atmosphere in newly formed ice. Climate Kids. Uncertainties. Key Indicators. Key Indicators Global Surface Temperature If you have the flash 10 plug-in and this page hasn't loaded after several seconds, please click here Otherwise, please download the current flash plug-in.
