The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (Badan Meteorologi Klimatologi dan Geofisika or BMKG)’s Moses Kilangin Meteorological Station, Mimika Regency, Central Papua, predicts that the snow on Jayawijaya Peak will disappear by 2026.
The prediction is based on the latest research results from the BMKG Centre, which reveal that the area of snow on Jayawijaya Peak, compared to its extent in 2022 (0.23 square kilometres), has now shrunk by approximately 0.11 square kilometres.
“Recent research shows that this snowmelt is becoming more significant, with the remaining snow thickness only four metres,” said Reza on behalf of BMKG’s Moses Kilangin Meteorological Station in a statement to the press on Monday, 16th December.
In addition to climate change factors, Reza continued, high rainfall in the region has also contributed to the accelerated melting of the snow. The decreasing snow cover and its reduced thickness have been observed by the agency over the past few years.
“Previously, dew and water vapour on Jayawijaya Peak would freeze into snow, but now, it rains more often, which accelerates the melting of ice,” Reza further explained.
Other factors accelerating the melting of the snow include heat radiating from the surrounding mountain rocks and rainfall.
“There are two main factors, namely melting from above due to rain and melting from below due to the heat of rocks. The impact of snow melting is predicted to be felt in the mountains and lowlands,” Reza continued.
Jayawijaya Peak, also known as Jaya Peak or Carstensz Pyramid, is located in the Central Papua province on the island of New Guinea. With an elevation of 4,884 metres, Jayawijaya Peak is the highest mountain peak on an island in the world, as well as the highest peak in Indonesia. The mountain is part of the Sudirman Range, located in the highlands of Mimika Regency, Central Papua, Indonesia.