22,000 years of history evaporates after freezer failure melts Arctic ice cores

[Judi Lynn]

Around 13% of cache of ice cylinders extracted from glaciers in Canadian Arctic exposed to high heat in new storage facility at University of Alberta

Ashifa Kassam in Toronto
@ashifa_k


Within them sits some 80,000 years of history, offering researchers tantalising clues about climate change and the Earth’s past. At least that was the case – until the precious cache of Arctic ice cores was hit by warming temperatures.

A freezer malfunction at the University of Alberta in Edmonton has melted part of the world’s largest collection of ice cores from the Canadian Arctic, reducing some of the ancient ice into puddles.

“For every ice-core facility on the planet, this is their No1 nightmare,” said glaciologist Martin Sharp.

New study shows worrisome signs for Greenland ice

The ice cores – long cylinders extracted from glaciers – contain trapped gasses and particles that offer a glimpse into atmospheric history.

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/apr/16/arctic-ice-cores-melt-university-alberta-canada

[DK504]

1. No back up generators?

[Binkie The Clown]

2. Maybe the cores should be stored in the high arctic where mechanical cooling is unnecessary.

After all, they lasted 22,000 years up there without refrigeration.