Trimble Inc. Announces Centimeter-Accurate 3D Model of Puncak Jaya Glaciers

Published: 2026-05-12 17:20:31 ET TRMB

Published on 05/12/2026 at 05:20 pm EDT

Trimble Inc. had announced its continued support of Project Pressure by providing advanced GNSS positioning technology and research funding for the nonprofit organization's latest expedition to map the disappearing tropical glaciers of Puncak Jaya in Papua, Indonesia. Project Pressure has released a centimeter-accurate, 3D model of the receding ice, created using Trimble positioning technology and drone-based photogrammetry. The 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. This expedition marks the third successful outing in Project Pressure's Melting Topics series, which focuses on mapping equatorial glaciers. Mapping glaciers at altitudes exceeding 4,800 meters (15,000 feet) presents extreme logistical and environmental challenges.

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.

Drone imagery was then processed against the Trimble coordinates to produce a scientifically reliable 3D model of the glacier. This 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.

The lightweight Trimble Catalyst DA2 GNSS system was critical for the expedition, which required helicopter access to Basecamp, followed by a trek to the launch point.