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An international scientific mission has begun drilling deep beneath Antarctica’s ice sheet in a bid to uncover ancient climate records that could help predict the future impacts of climate change.
According to a report published on Scoop, researchers are drilling through up to 500 metres of Antarctic ice to extract sediment cores that have remained undisturbed for millions of years. Scientists say these samples could reveal how Earth’s climate responded to past periods of warming, when carbon dioxide levels were similar to those being recorded today.
The mission is focused on understanding how Antarctica’s vast ice sheets behaved during previous warm climates, and how sensitive they may be to current and future temperature increases. The findings are expected to improve climate models and sharpen predictions around sea-level rise.
Researchers involved in the project say Antarctica plays a critical role in regulating the global climate system. Even small changes in the stability of its ice sheets could have far-reaching consequences for coastal communities around the world.
From a Māori and Pacific perspective, the research carries particular significance. Sea-level rise poses an existential threat to many coastal and low-lying communities, including Māori communities in Aotearoa and whānau across the Pacific who are already experiencing increased flooding, erosion, and displacement.
Climate scientists involved in the mission say learning how the planet responded to past warming events is essential for understanding what lies ahead. By analysing ancient sediments, they hope to identify tipping points-thresholds beyond which ice loss accelerates rapidly and becomes difficult to reverse.
The Antarctic drilling project is expected to take several months, with analysis of the samples continuing for years. While the work is highly technical, researchers say the implications are deeply human, shaping future decisions around emissions reduction, climate adaptation, and global responsibility.
As the effects of climate change become more visible across Aotearoa—from coastal erosion to extreme weather-scientists say the lessons locked beneath Antarctica’s ice could prove critical in guiding how the world responds to a warming planet.