Petermann Glacier and
Jakobshavn Isbrae Glacier
By: Rachel Soika
and
Paul Swanson
Objectives
To Document the change of Petermann
Glacier in comparison to changes in
Jakobshavn Isbrae Glacier
Landsat4-7 archives
Decadal comparisons
Jakobshavn Isbrae 1985-2011
Petermann 2000-2011
Data Information
Jakobshavn Isbrae
Located in West Greenland near the town,
Ilulissat.
It is considered a large outlet glacier that enters
the Ilulissat Icefjord.
The coordinates are 69.1667 latitude and 49.8333 longitude.
 Approximate size is 1000 meters.
Data Information
Petermann Glacier
located in Northwest Greenland and east of the
Nares Strait.
The coordinates are 80.5000 latitude and 59.5000 longitude.
 Approximate size is 1000 meters.
Methods Used
Unsupervised Classification
Used as reference for rest of project
Supervised Classification
Image Difference
Petermann Glacier
 Top Right taken in
2000
 Below taken in 2011
Unsupervised Classification- Petermann
Glacier
 Top Left is 2000
 Below is 2011
Supervised Classification Classes for
Petermann Glacier
SnowMagenta
Glacier/Ice waterCyan
WaterBlue
RockBrown
Dark IcePurple
Blue IceOrange
Snow RidgesYellow
Thick IceLight Green
Supervised classification Petermann
Glacier
 Top Right 2000
 Below left 2011
Image Difference- Petermann Glacier
 Mostly Decrease
 Problems with
satellite streaking
Jakobshavn Isbrae Glacier
 Top Right is 1985
 Below is 1992
Jackobshavn Isbrae Glacier continued
 Top Right is 2000
 Below is 2011
Unsupervised Classification Jakobshavn
Isbrae
 Top left 1985
 Below 1992
Unsupervised Classification Jakobshavn
Isbrae
 Top Right 2000
 Below 2011
Supervised Classification ClassesJakobshavn Isbrae Glacier
 Snow Magenta
 Glacier/Ice waterCyan
 WaterBlue
 RockBrown
 Elevated RockMaroon
 Dark IcePurple
 Blue Ice Orange
 Snow Ridges Yellow
 Thick Ice Light Green
Supervised Classification Jakobshavn
Isbrae
 Top Left 1985
 Below 1992
Supervised Classification Jakobshavn
Isbrae
 Top Right 2000
 Below 2011
Image Difference- Jakobshavn Isbrae
 Top Left compares
1985 and 1992
 Below compares
1992 and 2000
Image Difference- Jakobshavn Isbrae
 Top Right compares
2000 and 2011
 Below Compares
1985 and 2011
Results and Data Usage
Clear Change between 1985 and 2011 for
Jakobshavn Isbrae
Indication of change for Petermann
Glacier between 2000 and 2011
No accuracy assessment
Confident in using data for comparison
and documenting change
Encountered Problems
Constantly needed to Re-layer Data
Had problems with streaking
The Image difference was a little off
between the 1990’s data and 2000 data
Repercussions of Melting Glaciers
Rising sea levels
Less Icebergs
Warmer water temperatures