Unique Ice Volcano Emerges in Upstate New York Park

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A unique ice sculpture known as an 'ice volcano' has developed in Letchworth State Park in Upstate New York due to the region's recent frigid temperatures. The cone-shaped structure is formed from thousands of icicles as a result of a gravity-fed fountain system that forces water vertically through a spout, creating a powerful fountain without the need for pumps.

Why it matters

Ice volcanoes are a rare natural phenomenon that only occur in certain conditions, making this a unique attraction for the park. The formation of the ice volcano highlights the extreme winter weather conditions in the Northern Tier of the U.S. this year.

The details

The ice volcano is created by a gravity-fed fountain system where water from a higher-elevation reservoir flows downhill into a chamber that compresses air, forcing the water vertically through a spout. This creates a powerful fountain that doesn't freeze right away, even in very cold temperatures. As the water falls back down and hits the surrounding surfaces, it begins to freeze, gradually building up ice and creating the cone-shaped structure.

• As of February 9, 2026, the ice volcano was reported to be about 30 feet tall.

What’s next

The ice volcano will continue to grow taller as long as the fountain system continues to operate and temperatures remain cold enough for the water to freeze on contact.