Val works as a paleoclimatologist in Alaska. While studying ice core samples, she identifies an increase in the isotopic ratio of oxygen 10,000 years ago. From this discovery, she knows that Earth’s temperature at that time was . Aside from temperature, Val can also learn about from the ice cores. Val’s data suggests that she’s uncovered a glacial climate for this time period. During a glacial climate, Val knows, there would have been sea level, compared to what she witnesses today.