How to study Antarctic ice without blowing it up

THE PISTENBULLY 300 Polar Antarctic vehicle is a 8.5-tonne heavy-duty specialised monster built to withstand extreme polar conditions. It features wide tracks, massive pulling strength, powerful cranes and multi-purpose tools designed for the toughest ice and snow operations. No Antarctic base should be without one. Research led by Liu Guofeng at China University of Geosciences in Beijing, however, suggests the PistenBully may be capable of more than just fetching and carrying. As Dr Liu writes in the Journal of Glaciology, it is also able to do actual science.Antarctica’s ice sheet is the largest reservoir of freshwater on Earth, but it is shrinking. (Unsplash)Antarctica’s ice sheet is the largest reservoir of freshwater on Earth, but it is shrinking. Just above the ice proper, but below