A successful retrieval of clean, whole samples from an Antarctic subglacial lake were collected for the first time by a group that included NIU researchers.

The researchers drilled through Antarctic ice sheet to sample waters of Subglacial Lake Whillans. NIU members include Ross Powell, a professor of geology and expert in glacial geology; alumnus Slawek Tulaczyk, a professor at the University of California; Reed Scherer, professor of micropaleontology and biostratigraphy; doctoral student Timothy Hodson; undergraduate geology major Brian Guthrie; John Winans, computer science research associate, and adjunct professor Betty Trummel.