What can we learn about past climate changes from ice cores?
We can learn what atmospheric gases were present, therefore make some determination as to the climate in which the ice was formed. Also, layers in the ice contain soot from volcanoes, pollen from plants and other debris that indicate what was falling out of the atmosphere in that particular area at that time. Certain types of plant pollens indicate warmer or colder weather. Volcanic soot may help explain warming and cooling or changes in atmospheric gases.
