Petermann Ice Island updates

July 17, 2012 - - On July 16, 2012, between 1000 and 1200 UTC, a large section of the Petermann Glacier’s floating ice tongue calved into the Petermann Fiord, creating a new ice island. The estimated area of the main ice island is approximately 130 km², equivalent to roughly one quarter of the size of Montreal island (ice island size compared to other Canadian cities) and approximately half the size of the Petermann ice island that calved in August 2010.

Ice islands from this glacier drifts southwards into Baffin Bay and periodically down the Labrador coast, sometimes reaching Newfoundland, where they pose a hazard to shipping and navigation.

March 7, 2012 - - Most fragments are grounded; however, there are two pieces which are mobile: PII-C and PII-C-2.

December 15, 2011 - - Petermann Ice Island-B-1 remains grounded off the coast of Baffin Island.  Its areal extent is measured to be approximately 40 km². PII-B-1-a is grounded but pivots depending on the direction the sea ice is flowing nearby with the prevailing winds and ocean currents.

PII-B-2a is still grounded but appears to be pivoting on itself and re-orienting itself with the wind and ice movement. PII-B-2b had been drifting away from PII-B-2a; however, has recently drifted back towards PII-B-2a.

PII-B-a is still mobile in Barrow Strait, but not moving very far or very fast due to sea ice pack.

PII-C is now east of Bylot Island and still mobile, moving roughly parallel to the coast of Baffin Island.  The water current in this general area keeps the ice moving throughout the winter.