In a groundbreaking achievement, scientists have unearthed evidence of an ancient ocean hidden beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. An international team of researchers drilled through 523 meters of ice and 228 meters of ancient rock and mud at Crary Ice Rise on the Ross Ice Shelf, recovering samples that date back up to 23 million years. These samples offer crucial insights into past environmental conditions, revealing that the Ross Ice Shelf has experienced significant retreats, which could lead to the collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. The primary goal of this research is to identify the factors that drove the ice sheet's retreat, particularly historical ocean temperatures, to improve predictions of future melting rates in our warming climate.