A Billion Tons of Ice Are Hiding Under Utah, Study Finds
An incredible discovery.
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Researchers from the University of Utah have made a surprising discovery about hidden ice reserves in mountain regions. Using innovative measurement techniques, scientists determined that Utah’s rock glaciers—unusual geological formations where ice and rocky debris blend together beneath the surface—contain approximately one billion tons of ice. These formations differ significantly from conventional glaciers, as their rocky outer layers effectively conceal massive quantities of frozen water underneath.
The team focused their research on Mount Timpanogos, employing a gravimeter device to map subsurface ice deposits that traditional radar imaging cannot penetrate effectively. By analyzing 232 measurement points across the glacier and applying statistical modeling techniques, researchers calculated that the Timpanogos rock glacier alone contains roughly 1.4 million tons of ice—equivalent to filling approximately 600 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The ice comprises about 83 percent of the glacier’s composition, with the remainder consisting of rocky material.
Extrapolating their findings from Timpanogos to other known rock glaciers, scientists estimate that the western United States contains nearly 12 billion tons of ice in similar formations, while global rock glaciers hold approximately 48 billion tons. These discoveries have important implications for understanding water resources and climate impacts, as warming temperatures may destabilize rock glaciers and affect downstream water availability and infrastructure safety. The new measurement methodology provides scientists with better tools for monitoring these previously poorly understood geological features.
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Originally reported by Sciencealert →
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