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Ancient Ocean Revealed Beneath West Antarctic Ice Sheet

2/17/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Scientists drilled beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, reaching 523 meters of ice and 228 meters of rock.
The findings show the ice sheet was once open ocean, evidenced by marine organisms.
The team of 29 researchers retrieved samples dating back to 23 million years ago.
Core samples are being transported to New Zealand as the ice sheet loses mass at an accelerating rate in a warming climate.

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Story summary

Scientists drilled beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, reaching 523 meters of ice and 228 meters of rock.
The findings show the ice sheet was once open ocean, evidenced by marine organisms.
The team of 29 researchers retrieved samples dating back to 23 million years ago.
Core samples are being transported to New Zealand as the ice sheet loses mass at an accelerating rate in a warming climate.