Ice core dating

Ice core dating is a method scientists use to determine the age of ice layers drilled from glaciers and ice sheets. As snow falls and compresses into ice, it traps tiny air bubbles, particles, and the chemical signature of the atmosphere at that time. By analyzing the layers’ thickness, chemical composition, and trapped gases, scientists can establish a chronological timeline. Techniques like counting annual layers, radiometric dating, and measuring isotopes like oxygen-18 help to accurately date the ice. This allows researchers to reconstruct Earth’s climate history over thousands to hundreds of thousands of years.