Ice Memory sanctuary stores glacier cores at Concordia Station in Antarctica.

The Ice Memory Sanctuary at Concordia Station has received its first ice cores and will store glacier samples from around the world to preserve climate records as glaciers decline.

The Ice Memory Sanctuary at Concordia Station in Antarctica will store glacial ice cores for long-term preservation. Scientists aim to preserve trapped air and other climate records from glaciers that are shrinking worldwide. The first ice cores, taken from the European Alps, arrived this week under a project approved by the Antarctic Treaty System. Key points: - First ice cores from the European Alps have arrived at the Ice Memory Sanctuary located at Concordia Station. - The project was approved under the Antarctic Treaty System in 2024 and is funded by the Prince Albert II Foundation and overseen by the Ice Memory Foundation. - The World Meteorological Organization reported large glacier losses—about 273 billion metric tons per year and about 9,000 billion metric tons over the past half-century—and stated that preserved ice extends climate records for future study. Summary: The sanctuary preserves ice cores in Antarctic conditions so climate records remain available to future researchers. Undetermined at this time.