An international team of scientists announced Thursday they’ve successfully drilled one of the oldest ice cores yet, penetrating nearly 2 miles (2.8 kilometers) to Antarctic bedrock to reach ice they say is at least 1.2 million years old.

Summary

An international team successfully drilled a 1.2-million-year-old ice core from Antarctica, reaching bedrock nearly 2 miles deep at Little Dome C.

The ice core will help scientists analyze Earth’s atmospheric and climate evolution, shedding light on changes in Ice Age cycles and greenhouse gas levels.

Preliminary findings indicate carbon dioxide levels today are 50% higher than at any point in the last 800,000 years.

Funded by the EU, the Beyond EPICA project highlights advancements in understanding past climates and human impacts on global warming.