Indonesia's 'eternal snow,' the last two tropical glaciers in Asia, are predicted to vanish by 2027, according to the country's meteorology agency. The announcement was made on Tuesday as global warming continues to accelerate ice melt at an alarming rate.
Glaciers on Puncak Jaya
The Carstenz Glacier and the East Northwall Fin are located on Puncak Jaya, a mountain surrounded by dense rainforests in Indonesia's easternmost province of Papua. These glaciers are remnants of the last Ice Age and have existed for approximately 5,000 years. However, they have experienced a rapid loss of coverage and thickness over the past three decades.
Indonesia's Meteorological, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has determined that the ice sheets will completely disappear by next year. 'The loss of ice in Puncak Jaya has been dramatic over the last century,' BMKG stated. 'Based on current retreat rates, the glaciers are expected to disappear completely no later than 2026 or 2027.'
Historical Context and Current Status
Around 1850, near the beginning of the industrial revolution, the total glacier area on the Puncak Jaya mountain range was estimated at approximately 19.3 square kilometers. By September 2025, this area had shrunk to a mere 0.09 square kilometers. The two remaining glaciers were once part of a group of six, with the other four having already disappeared completely.
While atmospheric warming has been a primary long-term driver of the ice melt, strong weather events driven by El Nino have accelerated the thinning. El Nino causes tropical ocean water and atmospheric temperatures to become warmer. 'The El Nino anticipated for the latter half of 2026 is likely to hasten the thaw, ensuring that the current vanishing timeline remains unchanged,' BMKG said.
Impact of Rising Temperatures
Rising temperatures have also caused shifts in precipitation, leading to rain instead of snow. This removes the reflective white cover and directly melts the underlying ice. The thickness of the glacier has been greatly reduced since 2010, when it was 32 meters, to 22 meters in 2016, and further to around 8 meters by 2021.
The glaciers on Puncak Jaya are among the world's last remaining tropical glaciers, with others located in South America and Africa. Their expected loss serves as a 'stark warning' for the world, as tropical glaciers are highly sensitive indicators of climate change because they exist at the thermal limit of ice. 'This event indicates that regional warming has exceeded a critical threshold beyond which recovery is no longer possible under current climate trajectories,' BMKG warned.
Cultural and Environmental Consequences
In Papua, the remote Puncak Jaya mountain range is known as Nemangkawi Ninggok, which translates to the 'Peak of the White Arrow.' For indigenous tribes, it is a sacred site. The loss of the snow-capped peaks represents a loss of spiritual identity. BMKG further warned that the ice melting could threaten water supply in the mountain valleys and harm bird species and habitats dependent on stable water levels.
'The disappearance of these 'eternity glaciers' carries deep consequences,' BMKG said. 'The loss of an iconic natural phenomenon also symbolizes Indonesia's high vulnerability to climate-driven sea-level rise.'
