Down in Antarctica this summer the SWAIS2C team melted a hole through more than 500m of ice and drilled into the bedrock below to obtain a 228m sediment core to help scientists understand how the West Antarctic Ice Sheet will respond to our changing climate. Our animation explains the drilling process, from melting snow in massive flubbers through to filling core barrels with the sediment. 

The mission was a success, which is no mean feat considering it took place on the ice sheet 700km from the nearest base. Great job team!