The Canadian Ice Core Lab (CICL)
Representing more than 10,000 years of evidence of changes to our climate in 1.4 kilometres of ice core samples, the Canadian Ice Core Collection at the University of Alberta represents invaluable potential for researchers around the world to answer critical climate change questions. With a well-established reputation for research excellence in the Canadian north, researchers from the University of Alberta have spent decades getting to the bottom of what is happening at the top of the Earth, a region increasingly recognized for its valuable water, mineral, and energy resources.
Current Status
The Canadian Ice Core Lab comprises samples drilled from across the Canadian Arctic (including the Devon and Prince of Wales ice caps), as well as from non-polar mountain regions across the provinces and territories.
The current status of our ice core sample inventory in the archive:
| Total ice core samples: | 1317 |
| Total length of ice in the archive: | ~1.4 km |
| Oldest sample: | ~79,000 BCE |
| Youngest sample: | 2016 |
Ice Core News and Updates
What lies beneath: Innovative project set to cement Canada's leadership in Arctic research
Hyper-saline lakes beneath one of the most studied ice caps in the Canadian Arctic? Maybe even an entire briny network weaving a watery web under the ice? It sounds more like science fiction than science fact. But armed with ambition, innovative ideas, cutting-edge tools, and priceless support from one of Canada's foremost foundations-plus a cozy parka or two-these scientists are set to help us believe the once unbelievable, changing the face of the Canadian science community along the way.
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Girls on Ice a go! Funding supports young scientists setting off on adventure of a lifetime
May 02, 2019
10 young women are set for the adventure of a lifetime this summer, thanks to Girls on Ice Canada and a major funding infusion from the Government of Canada.
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Preserved in permafrost: from microbes to mammoths
October 12, 2017
New archive facility will push boundaries of climate change understanding.
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Tracking ice cores' cross-country trek
January 12, 2017
Monitoring system ensures climate change record remains frozen in ice.
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$2.3M grant moves ice cores a step closer to UAlberta
February 24, 2016
Funding will provide for storage, research on Canada's ice core collection.
Ice Core Database
We have collected ice cores from Prince of Wales Icefield and the Agassiz, Devon, and Penny ice caps all along the Arctic Archipelago.
Visit the interactive map on our Ice Core Database page to view information on our ice core samples (including drilling locations, age/depth of cores and more).
Laboratory Services
Our facility offers a variety of instrumentation for the collection, processing, and analysis of ice cores. Check out our Services & Equipment page for more information.
Contact Us
Alison Criscitiello, PhDDirectorOffice phone: 780-492-0867 E-mail: crisciti@ualberta.ca |
Anne Myers, PhDIce Core Laboratory AnalystOffice phone: 780-492-0867 E-mail: almyers@ualberta.ca |
Mailing AddressCanadian Ice Core Archive (CICA)Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences Faculty of Science, University of Alberta 1-09 South Academic Building (SAB) 116th St & 85 Ave NW Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2R3 |
Page Navigation
Ice Core Lab at-a-glance
Click our logo for our lab's one pager, and learn more about CICL's facilities, equipment, and more.