Petermann Glacier

• Location: Northwestern Greenland, in the Greenland Ice Sheet.
• Type: A tidewater glacier, meaning it flows into the ocean and ends in a floating ice tongue/ice shelf.
• Geographical significance: It is one of Greenland’s major outlet glaciers and drains ice from the Greenland Ice Sheet towards the Nares Strait.
• Ice tongue: Petermann Glacier is particularly known for its large floating ice shelf/ice tongue extending into the ocean.
• Iceberg calving: The glacier has experienced major iceberg calving events, making it important for studying changes in the Greenland Ice Sheet.
• Climate significance: Changes in the glacier’s ice tongue, flow and calving are important indicators of the effects of climate change and Arctic warming.
• Sea-level connection: Melting and ice loss from Greenland contribute to global sea-level rise.

Prelims Practice Question – English

Q. With reference to Petermann Glacier, consider the following statements:

1. It is located in Greenland.
2. It is an outlet glacier associated with the Greenland Ice Sheet.
3. It is connected with the Arctic Ocean region.
4. Changes in the glacier are relevant to the study of global sea-level rise.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation:

• Statement 1 — Correct: Petermann Glacier is located in northwestern Greenland.
• Statement 2 — Correct: It is an important outlet glacier of the Greenland Ice Sheet.
• Statement 3 — Correct: The glacier is situated in Greenland’s Arctic region and flows towards the Nares Strait, connecting the area to the Arctic Ocean system.
• Statement 4 — Correct: Ice loss from Greenland’s ice sheet and outlet glaciers contributes to global sea-level rise.