Braving sub-zero temperatures, howling winds, and oxygen levels at just 30% of sea-level density, a team of Chinese researchers is extracting ice cores from Mount Qomolangma (Everest) to decode Earth's climate history. Their mission: Analyze trapped air bubbles in ancient ice to better predict how global warming will reshape our planet.
Extreme Science in Action
With helicopters unable to land above 6,500 meters, scientists manually haul 100kg drilling equipment through ice fields. Wind gusts frequently topple temporary camps, while frostbite remains a constant threat. 'Every sample tells a story,' said one team member. 'We’re reading 15,000 years of atmospheric data trapped in these ice layers.'
Why Ice Cores Matter
Mount Qomolangma's ice preserves unique records of greenhouse gas concentrations and pollutants. This data helps scientists model future climate scenarios – crucial for sustainability planning in Asia's vulnerable river basins where 1 billion people depend on glacial water.
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Watch China's scientists brave nature researching on Mount Qomolangma
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