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HomeScienceHuge ‘ice volcano’ forms as underground water meets freezing air

Huge ‘ice volcano’ forms as underground water meets freezing air

Huge ‘ice volcano’ forms as underground water meets freezing air
Huge ‘ice volcano’ forms as underground water meets freezing air
The ice volcano is the size of a 5-storey building (Ruptly)

As snow lays siege to much of the UK this week, an impressive natural structure has been formed miles away in the wilds of Kazakhstan.

Thousands of people have made the journey to the country’s Almaty region to visit the so-called ‘ice volcano’.

The 45-foot structure was formed from an underground spring that shoots water up through the earth. When it comes into contact with the sub-zero air it immediately freezes and builds up into a cone.

While a smaller ice volcano appeared in the same area last year, locals say this year’s one is more impressive.

Because it continuously sprays water particles from the top of the cone it resembles smoke spilling out from an actual volcano.

Science/9237197/Ice volcano A natural phenomenon in Kazakhstan's largest city has created an enormous structure that resembles a volcano made of ice.
Water particles spray from the top of the structure, resembling smoke from an actual volcano (Ruptly)

‘In general, this is artesian water that gushes out of the ground. In summer everything blooms here with greenery,’ a local shared online.

Science/9237197/Ice volcano A natural phenomenon in Kazakhstan's largest city has created an enormous structure that resembles a volcano made of ice.
The giant ice structure is obviously a hit on Instagram (@irina0328/instagram)
Science/9237197/Ice volcano A natural phenomenon in Kazakhstan's largest city has created an enormous structure that resembles a volcano made of ice.
Thousands of people have travelled to see, and pose with, the ice volcano (@alyasskat/instagram)
Science/9237197/Ice volcano A natural phenomenon in Kazakhstan's largest city has created an enormous structure that resembles a volcano made of ice.
Locals say this year’s ice volcano is better than last year’s one (@ttaitarazova/instagram)

‘And with the arrival of winter, on the eve of the New Year, it [the iceberg] increases to 14 meters and creates a beautiful location for great shots. It happened that my friends and I came to the ‘iceberg’ to celebrate the New Year.’