Ice in Caves

Perennial ice in caves is a relatively uncommon occurrence, resulting from the combination of peculiar cave morphology and local climatic conditions. It exists in various forms, ranging from delicate ice crystals, various types of stalagmites and stalactites, to underground glaciers, tens of meters thick and thousands of years old. Underground glaciers are of especially great scientific importance as they hold invaluable informations on past climatic and environmental changes. In this article, we touch on various aspects related to the presence of ice in caves, highlighting the recent advances in scientific knowledge