Petermann Glacier ice area loss in 2009 has been gradual, not abrupt, so far
Petermann Glacier ice area loss is that it has been gradual, a little at a time, no big all-at-once 100 sq km area loss. With Greenpeace support, we’d installed time lapse cameras and GPS. Surprise was that what we observed was a gradual ice area loss and not yet to the tune of the expected 100 sq km ice area loss. So far, the area loss is ~10 sq km.
This image illustrates Petermann’s current state, with ice loss from the northern (right) side, including the loss of unconsolidated glacier ice that was at once trapped. Now, ~20 km of northern flank is not at all buttressed by glacier ice jam, see below…
Image Caption: Petermann Glacier 29 Aug, 2009.
October 10th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Jason: The ice jam removal you note extends back to the first tributary from the north. The impact of the unbuttressed northern edge on the glacier will be enhanced I think by the fact that the the tributaries act as stabilizers. It would be surprising if the tributary did not have thicker ice than the floating section of the Petermann. The tributary should quickly develop its own calving face and not be a stabilizer anymore. Thanks for your updates. Where were the markers placed on the floating tongue, to records it movement after calving.
September 6th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
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