The largest ice cave in China does not melt in summer

Ninh Vu Ice Cave is located in the mountains of China's largest Shanxi Province, according to Amusing Planet.

The special shape and structure of the cave helps to keep the cold air inside, making the cave always covered with ice in the summer.

Ninh Vu Ice Cave is located in the mountains of China's largest Shanxi Province, according to Amusing Planet. The underground structure is an 85-meter-high bowling alley that feeds deep into the mountainside. Dynamic walls and bottoms cover thick ice, while large pillars and stalactites rise from the ceiling to the bottom of the cave. Ninh Vu cave is frozen in the summer, even when the outdoor temperature is high.


Bang Vu Ninh Vu in Shanxi, China.(Video: YouTube).

Many ice arteries exist year-round in Europe, Central Asia and South America. Much of the icebergs are located in cold climates such as Alaska, Iceland and Russia, where low temperatures throughout the year keep cold and freezing naturally. However, ice dynamics also exist in warm climates.

Most of this type of ice is known as "cold trap" . The cave has many slots and vents that allow cold air to enter in winter but prevent hot air from penetrating in the summer. In winter, the air is cold and condensed into the cave, replacing the hot air mass rising and escaping. In summer, cold air in the cave stays in place because the hot air on the ground is lighter and cannot enter.

Picture 1 of The largest ice cave in China does not melt in summer

Most of this type of ice is known as "cold trap".

Internal dynamic ice also acts as a cushion to help stabilize the temperature. Any mass of warm air entering the cave will immediately reduce the temperature due to the ice before it can warm the inside of the cave. Warm air flows a bit of ice, but the temperature remains stable. Conversely, when the extreme cold air of winter comes in, liquid liquid in the cave will freeze completely, releasing heat to prevent the temperature in the cave from falling too low.

In order to freeze such ice, a sufficiently large amount of water must be available for the appropriate time. The climate must be cold for the mountains to be covered by snow in the winter and the temperature must be high enough to melt ice in the summer but not warm up too much. Every element needs a delicate balance so that ice can form and survive.

Update 16 December 2018
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