BE COOL: BalchenfjElla blue ice areas quest for the reCOvery of the OLdest ice

In BE COOL, we will collect high-resolution geophysical and geochemical data to constrain advanced ice flow modelling efforts, allowing us to locate and recover very old ice from the Balchenfjella BIAs. These data will include measurements of
ice thickness, horizontal and vertical ice velocity, ablation, surface isotopes, ice dating, and the terrestrial age of meteorites.

Based on these outcomes, we will select a drilling site, where we will drill an ice core with a length of up to 200-250 m during a second field season. The analyses performed on this ice core are likely to have major implications, as they will allow
(i) capturing regional climate variations through comparison with the ice core drilled in the Nils Larsen BIAs (in FROID project) and (ii) providing unique samples of very old ice, with a high potential for extending current climate records. Through the proposed interdisciplinary and innovative approach, BE COOL aims to further position the Belgian Antarctic research community at the forefront of international efforts in the quest for the oldest ice.