The “ice volcano” is formed by water projected into the air (illustration).
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Pixabay / Natalia_Kollegova
A very photogenic 14-meter-high ice mass appeared this month near the village of Kegen, Kazakhstan.
This natural phenomenon has been dubbed “ice volcano” because of its shape, but it does not result from the same process as the formation of a traditional volcano, explains
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For the small icy mountain to form, several conditions had to be met.
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Water sources projected to the surface
The cone is in fact the consequence of the very low temperatures recorded in the region.
These resulted in the formation of a thick layer of ice and snow covering the ground.
The surroundings of the city of Almaty are also known for its many hot springs.
The liquid present in underground pockets thus escapes regularly in the form of jets projected into the air.
The intense cold that reigns during this period then causes the water to freeze quickly, which turns into ice when it falls.
And the repetition of the phenomenon leads to the formation of this "ice volcano".
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Beautiful photos for Instagram
It appears every year at the same season and is a delight for the inhabitants of the region.
Many of them pose in front of the mound and then post their pictures on social networks.
The phenomenon is not unique to this region of Kazakhstan.
Similar ice cones are regularly observed near the shores of some American bodies of water such as lakes Erie and Ontario.
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