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Data Set ID:
G01130

World Glacier Inventory, Version 1

The World Glacier Inventory (WGI) contains information for over 130,000 glaciers, or about 85% of the total estimated number of glaciers. Inventory parameters include geographic location, area, length, orientation, elevation, and classification. The WGI is based primarily on aerial photographs and maps with most glaciers having one data entry only. Hence, the dataset can be viewed as a snapshot of the glacier distribution in the second half of the 20th century. It is based on the original WGI (WGMS 1989) from the World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS).

This is the most recent version of these data.

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Parameter(s):
  • Glaciers/Ice Sheets > Glaciers > GLACIERS
Data Format(s):
  • ASCII
Spatial Coverage:
N: 89.3, 
S: -71.66, 
E: 180, 
W: -180
Platform(s):AIRCRAFT, GROUND STATIONS
Spatial Resolution:
  • Varies
Sensor(s):CAMERAS, VISUAL OBSERVATIONS
Temporal Coverage:
  • 1 January 1900 to 31 December 2003
(updated 2012)		Version(s):V1
Temporal ResolutionVariesMetadata XML:View Metadata Record
Data Contributor(s):WGMS

Geographic Coverage

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As a condition of using these data, you must cite the use of this data set using the following citation. For more information, see our Use and Copyright Web page.

WGMS, and National Snow and Ice Data Center (comps.). 1999, updated 2012. World Glacier Inventory, Version 1. [Indicate subset used]. Boulder, Colorado USA. NSIDC: National Snow and Ice Data Center. doi: https://doi.org/10.7265/N5/NSIDC-WGI-2012-02. [Date Accessed].

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