In Utah, near White Pine Lake, lies a notable geological feature: a rock glacier concealed beneath loose rocks. Unlike the familiar snowy glaciers, rock glaciers remain largely understudied and often overlooked. Yet, these formations hold hidden reserves of glacier ice, presenting a potential source of water in a changing climate.
The western United States boasts over 10,000 rock glaciers. Despite their abundance, many go unnoticed by the casual observer. These glaciers differ significantly from their traditional icy counterparts, veiled under a layer of rocks.
Rock glaciers may offer a glimmer of hope amidst climate challenges. Their concealed ice potentially serves as a valuable water resource in areas prone to drought and climate variability.
For those interested in the fascinating geoscience behind rock glaciers and other hidden wonders, contacting Short Wave at [email protected] may lead to future coverage on the topic. Listen to the podcast on platforms such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Subscribers to Short Wave+ enjoy sponsor-free episodes, supporting NPR’s ongoing work in science reporting.
This episode of Short Wave was produced by Jessica Yung, edited by Rebecca Ramirez, with fact-checking by Tyler Jones. The audio engineering was performed by Patrick Murray.