Many tourist destinations are only open in the summer because that’s when most people travel and go on holiday. But the Coudersport Ice Mine is only open in the summer—because it melts in the winter!
The Coudersport Ice Mine in Pennsylvania is a true natural phenomenon that scientists are still studying. The ice forms in early spring and gets bigger and bigger as the summer gets hotter. As the weather gets colder in the fall, the ice begins to melt and by winter, it is all gone!
Year-round thermometers and instruments help keep track of how this incredible ice mine works but the idea behind it is quite simple. Pockets of cold air are stored from the winter cold, and when the warm air arrives in the spring, it pushes the cold air out through a vent and creates ice. In the summer, the warm air is stored and when the winter cold arrives, the warm air is pushed out and melts the ice.
The Ice Mine is located in Coudersport, PA, in Potter County, an area so beautiful that it is known as “God’s Country”. It is open in the summer and costs only $5 to enter. For that low price, you can see a natural phenomenon and cool off from the summer heat!
