Core samples are cylindrical sections of soil, rock, or ice that are extracted from the ground for scientific analysis. They provide valuable information about the geological history and composition of the Earth's layers. Researchers use specialized tools to drill into the Earth and retrieve these samples, which can reveal details about past climates, natural resources, and environmental changes. In geology, core samples are essential for understanding the structure of the Earth's crust and for locating resources like oil and minerals. In paleoclimatology, ice core samples from glaciers can help scientists study historical climate patterns and atmospheric conditions over thousands of years.