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Tropical Island Snow Vanishes Forever
26 Sep
Summary
- Papua's tropical mountains are losing their centuries-old snow and ice.
- Glacier cover has shrunk dramatically from 1,900 hectares to 16 hectares.
- The remaining snow on the peaks is expected to disappear within two years.
The iconic "eternal snow" adorning the tropical mountains of Papua, Indonesia, is set to disappear permanently within the next one to two years. For centuries, these snowy peaks near the equator have been a source of scientific data on climate history and a spiritual center for local communities.
However, rapid climate change has decimated the snow cover. Historically, the Sudirman Range boasted snow and permanent ice on all its major peaks.
Glacier coverage has plummeted from approximately 1,900 hectares in the 19th century to a mere 16 hectares today, mostly concentrated near Puncak Jaya (Carstensz Pyramid). This dramatic reduction within a single human lifetime signifies the imminent loss of this natural wonder.
