Science podcast: Antarctica’s oldest ice holds the key to unlocking Earth’s climate secrets

Researchers from the University of Bern are delving into Antarctica’s oldest ice, extracted from a depth of more than 2,500 metres. These samples hold crucial clues to the Mid-Pleistocene Transition, a pivotal period 900,000 to 1.2 million years ago, vital for understanding Earth’s climate future. This week on ‘The Swiss Connection’ science podcast, we visit the Institute for Climate and Environmental Physics at the University of Bern. Join researchers Hubertus Fischer and Florian Kraus as they unveil their groundbreaking work. They have developed a specialised laser device to meticulously analyse carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases trapped in ancient air bubbles within these ice samples. This innovative approach allows them to reconstruct Earth’s past climate with unprecedented detail. Fischer and Kraus are integral members of the European project Beyond EPICA – Oldest Ice, an ambitious endeavour aiming to analyse ice formed over a million years ago. Their ultimate ...