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U. researchers find possible water source in Mount Timpanogos rock glacier
KSL • • science
Key Points:
- New research by University of Utah geologists has revealed that the Timpanogos Rock Glacier contains enough ice to fill 600 Olympic swimming pools, hidden beneath rocks and debris.
- Using precise gravitational acceleration measurements, scientists created a 3D model showing ice up to 150 feet thick beneath Emerald Lake, indicating many rock glaciers may still contain significant ice.
- Rock glaciers melt more slowly than exposed glaciers, providing sustained late summer water flow to streams and groundwater, which benefits Utah's arid climate and supports cold-water ecosystems.
- There are approximately 836 rock glaciers in Utah, potentially holding ice equivalent to 400,000 Olympic swimming pools, but warming climates increase glacier instability and the risk of catastrophic events like avalanches and floods.
- The presence of the Wasatch fault adds earthquake-related hazards, as seismic activity can trigger rock avalanches in these mountainous areas, highlighting the importance of ongoing research to identify and monitor ice-filled rock glaciers.
