Under a layer of loose debris on Utah’s Mount Timpanogos, researchers uncovered a concealed ice formation reaching depths of 150 feet—sufficient to fill 600 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

The study of the Mount Timpanogos rock glacier reveals significant hidden ice resources, estimated enough to fill 600 Olympic swimming pools, and indicates that ice can thrive beneath layers of rock in dry conditions. Researchers used gravity measurements to map the glacier’s structure, discovering that it consists of 83% ice and is layered under up to 45 meters of rock. This concealed ice represents a crucial water source in Utah, particularly in arid climates where it can help alleviate drought conditions by offering a steady water release. The findings underscore the importance of these hidden glaciers as climate-resilient water reserves and highlight the potential risks they pose to communities below.