Ice cores are cylindrical samples taken from ice sheets and glaciers, primarily in regions like Antarctica and Greenland. These cores contain layers of ice that have built up over thousands of years, preserving information about past climates, atmospheric conditions, and even volcanic eruptions. Scientists analyze the gases and particles trapped in these layers to study historical climate changes and understand how the Earth's climate system works. This research helps predict future climate patterns and assess the impact of human activities on global warming.