EPICA Dome C 2 drilling operations: performances, difficulties, results

The European Project for Ice Coring in Antarctica (EPICA) Dome C 2 (EDC2) drilling was concluded on 21 December 2005, a few metres above bedrock. The drilling was stopped both for environmental reasons and because of the drilling difficulties encountered in 'warm ice'. This paper describes in detail the progress and the performance of the EPICA drill, including the procedures needed to penetrate into 'warm ice' and their effects on core quality. Some drill technical data are also presented.