Utah’s Hidden Ice Giant: More Than A Billion Tons Found Beneath The Surface

Scientists have uncovered evidence that Utah’s mountains hold vast quantities of hidden ice beneath layers of rocks and debris, with the state’s rock glaciers estimated to contain around 1 billion tons of ice.

Unlike conventional glaciers, whose ice is clearly visible, rock glaciers are largely concealed beneath thick layers of rocks and boulders. These formations can therefore store significant amounts of frozen water without appearing like traditional glaciers.

Researchers from the University of Utah investigated the Timpanogos Glacier at the foot of Mount Timpanogos to determine how much ice lies beneath its rocky surface.

Scientists Use Gravity To Detect Hidden Ice

Estimating the amount of ice inside a rock glacier is challenging because the heavy layer of rocks can interfere with conventional techniques such as ground-penetrating radar.

To overcome this problem, researchers used a gravimeter, an instrument capable of detecting tiny variations in gravity caused by differences in underground materials.

The team took 232 gravity measurements around the Timpanogos Glacier and combined the data with statistical modelling to construct a three-dimensional picture of the hidden ice.

The analysis indicated that the formation is approximately 83% ice and 17% rock by volume, with the ice reaching an average thickness of about 18.8 metres (62 feet).

Timpanogos Glacier Holds Millions Of Cubic Metres Of Ice

Researchers estimate that the Timpanogos rock glacier contains roughly 1.5 million cubic metres of ice—an amount equivalent to around 600 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Using these measurements as a basis, the researchers estimated the total amount of ice trapped in rock glaciers throughout Utah.

The state has 836 documented rock glaciers, which are collectively estimated to contain approximately 1 billion tons of ice.

The hidden reserves become even more significant when the wider region is considered. Rock glaciers across the western United States are estimated to hold nearly 12 billion tons of ice, while the global total could approach 48 billion tons.

Hidden Ice Could Become Increasingly Important

The findings could provide scientists with a better understanding of the amount of water locked away in rock glaciers, particularly as conventional glaciers continue to shrink because of climate change.

Researchers also point out that warming can affect the stability of rock glaciers. Changes in their frozen interiors could potentially increase hazards for communities and infrastructure located downstream.

The study highlights how large quantities of water can remain hidden beneath seemingly ordinary rocky landscapes, making rock glaciers an important but often overlooked component of mountain water storage.