News Climate

A drill built for Mars is being used to bore into Antarctic bedrock

Scientists hope to retrieve rock samples that reveal the continent’s climate history

British Antarctic Survey’s Skytrain Ice Rise site

ICE CAMP  Researchers working inside this tent at the British Antarctic Survey’s Skytrain Ice Rise site have drilled through more than 600 meters of ice to reach bedrock. Now, a drill once designed for Mars will be used to try to retrieve rock samples.

Eric Wolff

By Carolyn Gramling

- More than 2 years ago

Once destined for Mars, a prototype drill has a new mission: To bore into rocks buried deep beneath the ice in Antarctica.