Glacière de Monlési, Natural ice cave in Val de Travers, Switzerland
The Glacière de Monlési is an ice cave in the Val de Travers where water freezes as it drips through cold air, creating unusual formations on the cave floor. Columns and stalagmites develop over time from this simple freezing process.
Scientists have studied the cave for centuries, analyzing its ice layers to understand past climate patterns and conditions. The ice deposits preserve evidence of environmental changes that occurred long ago.
The site serves as an educational destination for geological studies, demonstrating natural processes of ice formation in subterranean environments.
To reach the ice formations, visitors must descend a steep path and use a ladder to get to the cave floor where the ice sits. Proper footwear and careful footing are essential since the surfaces can be wet and slippery.
Despite average external temperatures around 5 degrees Celsius throughout the year, the cave maintains substantial ice through a natural cooling system. This ability to preserve ice relies entirely on how cold air circulates deep within the cavity.
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