State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

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The Landscape We Are Up Against

We have drilled a second core through the ice to bedrock, and are done at our first site. Unfortunately, the helicopter that we need to move the heavy pieces to our second planned spot is down for regular maintenance until next Monday, June 21. That means the team must wait it out at the relatively sheltered “saddle camp” until then.

Here are two spectacular pictures, taken from the helicopter, of the landscape we are up against.

Lower left is our camp; those tiny orange dots are the tents. Our first drilling site, now done, is top center. (click to view enlargment). Four-photo mosaic panorama by Paul Warren, PT Freeport Indonesia.
Lower left is our camp; those tiny orange dots are the tents. Our first drilling site, now done, is top center. (click to view enlargment). Four-photo mosaic panorama by Paul Warren, PT Freeport Indonesia.
This shows our camp and first drill site (left) in context with the second planned drill site (right). Now you see why we can’t just hike over there with the equipment. (click to view enlargement). 13-image mosaic panorama by Paul Warren, PT Freeport Indonesia.
This shows our camp and first drill site (left) in context with the second planned drill site (right). Now you see why we can’t just hike over there with the equipment. (click to view enlargement). 13-image mosaic panorama by Paul Warren, PT Freeport Indonesia.
Photo of the Earth from space with the text "Lamont at AGU25" on top.

AGU25, the premier Earth and space science conference, takes place December 15-19, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This year’s theme—Where Science Connects Us—puts in focus how science depends on connection, from the lab to the field to the ballot box. Once again, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Columbia Climate School scientists, experts, students, and educators are playing an active role, sharing our research and helping shape the future of our planet. #AGU25 Learn More

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