Collecting ice cores

Ice core, collecting, missions, Ice Memory

Our goal: preserving 20 glaciers in 20 years

Selection criteria
We aim to drill ice cores from 20 glaciers between 2016 and 2036. Each site must:
  • Offer Provide valuable insights into past climate and environmental conditions thanks to high-quality and well-preserved records
  • The glacier provides important and unique geographic and/or historical information that is representative on a regional or even continental scale, ensuring that the Ice Memory collection covers as much of the planet as possible
Ice core, collecting, missions, Ice Memory

Sites already drilled

Ice core, collecting, missions, Ice Memory
Pamir, Ice core, Ice Memory, expedition
Grand combin, glacier, expedition
Monte Rosa, Colle del Lys, Ice Memory, expedition
Svalbard, Ice core, Ice Memory, expdition
Kilimandjaro, expedition, Ice Memory
Colle Gnifetti, expedition, Ice Memory
Grand Combin, expedition, Ice Memory
Elbrus, Russia, expedition, Ice Memory
Illimani, expedition, Ice Memory
Col du Dôme, expedition, Ice Memory

Upcoming Drilling Targets

  • Saint Elias Mountains – Eclipse Icefield (Canada, USA)
  • Andes Plateau (Peru, Argentina)
  • Heard Island (Australia)
  • Pamir, Kunlun, Qilian, East Rongbuk (Tajikistan, Pakistan, China)
  • Himalayas (including Mount Everest)
  • South Georgia
Additional sites are under investigation.

The drilling technique

Ice cores are extracted using a rotating steel tube equipped with cutting blades. Each segment (50–100 cm long) is carefully collected, documented (depth, location), and stored under strict cold chain conditions.

Drilling technics, expedition, ice core, Ice Memory
Published on  October 8, 2026
Updated on October 12, 2026