The treasured 'eternal snow' on this tropical island is about to disappear forever
Summary
The glaciers and eternal snow on the Sudirman Range in Papua, Indonesia, are almost gone due to rising temperatures. These tropical ice areas are important for climate science and hold spiritual significance for local Indigenous groups.Key Facts
- The Sudirman Range once had permanent snow on all four major peaks about 100 years ago.
- Today, only small patches of snow remain mainly on Puncak Jaya (Carstensz Pyramid), expected to disappear within a year or two.
- Glacier area has shrunk from around 1,900 hectares (4,700 acres) in the 19th century to about 16 hectares (40 acres) now.
- The glaciers are unique because they are the last tropical ice between the Andes and Himalayas, isolated by thousands of kilometers.
- Ice cores from the glaciers give scientists important information about past climate and ocean changes in the tropical Pacific.
- The melting is caused by global warming due to human activities like burning coal, oil, and gas.
- Indigenous groups such as the Moni and Amungme people have strong spiritual connections to these mountains.
- The glaciers' disappearance threatens both scientific knowledge and cultural heritage of the Indigenous communities.
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