National Ice Core Laboratory

The National Ice Core Laboratory (NICL) is a research facility that stores and studies ice cores—long cylinders of ice drilled from glaciers and ice sheets. These ice cores contain preserved layers of snowfall that have accumulated over thousands of years, trapping tiny air bubbles, particles, and isotopes. By analyzing these elements, scientists can learn about past climate conditions, greenhouse gas levels, and Earth's climate history. NICL provides scientists with access to these valuable samples to better understand natural climate variability and inform predictions about future climate change.