Wed Dec 17 10:20:22 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:
The Hindu: Pamir Glacier Mystery: Japanese Scientists Study Ice Cores for Climate Clues
Sapporo, Japan – December 17, 2025 – In a race against time, Japanese scientists at Hokkaido University’s Institute of Low Temperature Science are meticulously analyzing ice core samples extracted from a glacier in the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan. The project aims to understand the “Pamir-Karakoram anomaly,” a rare phenomenon where glaciers have resisted the widespread melting seen elsewhere in the world.
Led by Professor Yoshinori Iizuka, the team is examining the 105-meter-long ice cores for clues about past climate conditions. The samples, one of which is safely stored in Antarctica, hold information about precipitation levels, temperature fluctuations, and atmospheric composition spanning potentially thousands of years.
“By understanding the causes behind the continuous build-up of snow from the past to the present, we can clarify what will happen going forward and why the ice has grown,” explains Iizuka. Researchers are analyzing the ice’s density, grain alignment, and composition, looking for volcanic markers, water isotopes, and evidence of past environmental events.
While the reasons behind the Pamir anomaly are still uncertain, scientists hope that the ice core analysis will provide answers. The team believes that the data could help in developing strategies to protect or even revive shrinking glaciers around the globe. Initial findings are expected to be published next year.
First Piper 