Trimble's RTK GNSS receivers and photogrammetry have enabled the creation of a high-precision 3D model of Indonesia's vanishing Puncak Jaya glaciers. The model, captured at centimeter-scale accuracy, serves as the definitive baseline for tracking melt in one of Earth's last tropical ice fields.
Overview
The effort leverages Trimble's R12i inertial-aided GNSS to correct for atmospheric distortion in real time, enabling drone-based LiDAR scans that resolve micro-topography even in persistent cloud cover. The data provides a baseline measurement for tracking change at one of Earth's last tropical ice fields.
What it does
The 3D model establishes a scientific baseline for calculating the rate of glacier recession and projecting the timeline of disappearance. Local communities also use the data to make informed choices about crop selection and prepare for expected water shortages caused by the loss of these vital reservoirs.
Trimble's technology and research funding supported Project Pressure's latest expedition to map the disappearing tropical glaciers of Puncak Jaya in Papua, Indonesia. Klaus Thymann used the Trimble Catalyst DA2 GNSS system to establish location coordinates with centimeter-level precision, allowing the team to create a highly-accurate georeferenced photogrammetry model of the glacier.
Tradeoffs
Precision under pressure in hostile terrain is a significant challenge. Near-constant cloud cover and heavy rainfall in Papua often render satellite imagery unusable, making ground-based georeferencing essential. The expedition team installed precise geolocation reference points directly on the glacial surface at multiple locations. Using the Trimble Catalyst DA2 GNSS system and Trimble TDC600 handheld, researchers captured the exact coordinates of those points with centimeter-level accuracy.
The approach builds on methods developed during Project Pressure's 2024 expedition to the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda, which also utilized Trimble technology. Puncak Jaya, the highest peak in Oceania and one of the Seven Summits, is expected to be the first of the seven continental peaks to lose its glaciers as global temperatures rise.
In practical terms, the creation of this 3D model demonstrates the potential of Trimble's technology for precision mapping in challenging environments. The model provides a valuable resource for climate scientists and local communities, enabling them to track changes in the glacier and prepare for the impacts of climate change.