Guide to the NSIDC Data Map Services API

The NSIDC Data Map Services Application Programming Interface (API) provides HTTP URLs for requesting geo-registered map images from NSIDC's geospatial database. A WMS request defines the geographic layer(s) and area of interest to be processed. The response to the request is one geo-registered map image returned as a PNG 24bit, PNG 8bit, GIF, JPEG, or JPEG-PNG that can be displayed in a browser. You can also obtain a Keyhole Markup Language (KML) image to view in Google Earth, and a Geography Markup Language (GML) XML grammar file through a WFS request.

The OGC protocols availabe for use are Web Map Service (WMS), Web Feature Service (WFS), and Web Coverage Service (WCS).

Web Map Service (WMS) 1.1.1Provides map and legend images of selected data layers and basemaps.
Web Feature Service (WFS) 1.1.0Provides vector source data (points, lines, and polygons) in Geography Markup Language (GML) format.
Web Coverage Service (WCS) 1.1.1Provides raster source data (rectangular grids of data values) in various formats such as GML, GeoTIFF, HDF-EOS, CF-netCDF, and NITF to name just a few.

Getting Started

Remote access to map and legend images can be obtained via OGC GetMap requests. These requests can include various parameters for customizing output, including those listed in the tables below. For complete documentation on creating GetMap requests, please see the WMS specification published through OGC (version 1.1.1).

Using these services, maps and source data can be accessed remotely for your spatial region and layers of interest either directly through a URL string or through the various OGC-compatible clients available for accessing these services, such as Gaia 3, MapServer, ENVI Zoom 4.3.1, Google Earth 4, NASA World Wind, Quantum GIS (QGIS), and uDig, to name just a few.

If you are familiar with OGC Services and don't need access to pre defined URL calls, see Table 1 for a parameter listing. If you are not familiar with OGC Services and would like to use pre defined URL calls to access the maps and source data, follow the directions given below.

Use the Table of Contents below to navigate to the layer you want to use. To use the Data Map Services API, paste the appropriate URL for the layer you want to view into the URL field of a browser.

The query string is case sensitive, and the search is not a free text search, but a very structured one. The ? in the query string separates the URL from the parameters, and the & separates the variables.

Table of Contents

Layer NameDescriptionRaster DataVector Data
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE LAYERS
Northern Hemisphere Sea Ice Concentrations (NSIDC-0051)This layer provides yesterday's daily passive microwave sea ice concentration raster data if the time parameter is left out of the URL call. However, by using the time parameter, you can pick a specific day of data.X 
SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE LAYERS
Southern Hemisphere Sea Ice Concentrations (NSIDC-0051)This layer provides yesterday's daily passive microwave sea ice concentration raster data if the time parameter is left out of the URL call. However, by using the time parameter, you can pick a specific day of data.X 
GLOBAL LAYERS
MEaSures Global Daily Freeze/Thaw Status (NSIDC-0477)This layer provides global daily freeze/thaw raster data for yesterday if the time parameter is left out of the URL call. However, by using the time parameter, you can pick a specific day of data.X 
IceBridge Flight LinesThis layer provides IceBridge flight lines for the selected map region as vectors. IceBridge flights within the selected timespan are show in map view. The flight lines are presented as a simple line drawn in the map projection. X
Global Land Ice Velocity Extraction from Landsat 8 (NSIDC-0710)This layer provides raster data of ice speed for all ice areas greater than 5km2 within the selected map area and over the time range indicated. The data are presented as raster data of the scalar of velocity, colorized to indicate the ice flow speed.X 
GREENLAND LAYERS
Greenland MeltThis layer provides a passive-microwave-derived indication of of melt extend (for daily data) or a map of the number of days that melt was detected in a mapped grid cell (for monthly data). One-day extent data are presented as a binary mask (melt / no-melt) and the monthly melt days data are provided as an integer for each grid cell (0 to 31).X 
MEaSUREs Greenland Ice Sheet Velocity Map from InSAR (NSIDC-0478)This layer provides the observed mean ice flow speed for the period selected. Monthly, seasonal, annual, or multi-annual mappings are available. These mappings generally represent a trade-off between temporal detail (for glaciers that vary in speed) and accuracy (more accurate speeds are produced for the longer time-intervals of the mapping). Daily data are not available.X 

 

Use the parameters listed in Table 1 to define your query string. For example query strings, navigate through the article to the layer example you want to view.

Table 1. The Parameters for All Requests

ParameterValuesDescriptionRequired
layersNSIDC:nsidc_0051_raster_nReturns northern daily passive microwave sea ice concentration raster data.Yes
NSIDC:nsidc_0477_raster_gReturns global daily freeze/thaw raster data.
NSIDC:icebridge_flightlinesReturns IceBridge flight lines for the selected map region as vectors.
NSIDC:golive_sReturns raster data of ice speed for all ice areas greater than 5km2 within the selected map area and over the time range indicated.
NSIDC:greenland_meltReturns a passive-microwave-derived indication of of melt extend (for daily data) or a map of the number of days that melt was detected in a mapped grid cell (for monthly data).
NSIDC:nsidc_0478_v2_measures_greenland_ice_sheet_velReturns the observed mean ice flow speed for the period selected. Monthly, seasonal, annual, or multi-annual mappings are available.
stylesnsidc_0051_raster_nA style for the nsidc_0051 Combined Sea Ice Extent North Rasters.Yes
NSIDC0477_RasterA style for the combined freeze-thaw rasters.
Default LineA style that draws a line.
Default PolygonA style that draws a polygon.
greenland_meltA style that displays melt, no melt, and missing areas.
nsidc0478_rignotA style used so that velocity data in the GeoServer looks the same as the browse images the PI provides in the data product itself.
{empty}Leave this parameter empty when you want to just see the data. Land, ocean, coast, and pole hole are styled transparent which allows users to use their own basemap with the data. Note: You should also set transparent to true when using an empty style because the default background is white.
bboxValue is minx, miny, maxx, maxy in units of the srs.Bounding box for map extent.yes
widthPixelsWidth of map outputyes
heightPixelsHeight of map outputyes
srsValue is in form EPSG:nnn. The native srs for the data is EPSG:3411 for the north and EPSG:3412 for the south. However, GeoServer supports any registered EPSG codes in the EPSG database. You can see a list on the Spatial Reference List.Spatial Reference System for map output.yes
formatThere are many different supported formats. See GeoServer documentation on WMS output formats.Format of the map output.yes
time

&TIME=YYYY-MM-DD for daily data

&TIME=YYYY-MM for monthly data

You can pick a different date by appending this parameter to the request. Default is to show the most recent data which is usually the previous day.no
bgcolorValue is in the form RRGGBB. Default is FFFFFF (white).Background color for the map image.no
transparentValues are true or false. Default is falseWhether the map background should be transparent.no

Northern Hemisphere

Northern Hemisphere Sea Ice Concentrations (NSIDC-0051)

To use the Data Map Services API for the Northern Hemisphere Sea Ice Concentrations layer, paste one of the following example URLs from Table 2 into the URL field of a browser. The query string can contain all or any combination of the parameters listed in Tables 3 and 4.

This layer provides yesterday's Northern Hemisphere daily passive microwave sea ice concentration raster data if the time parameter is left out of the URL call. However, by using the time parameter, you can pick a specific day of data. Refer to Table 3 for the correct values.
The styles parameter is also left blank in the example URL below. Refer to Table 3 for the correct values.

 

Table 2. Example Layer URLs for the Northern Hemisphere Sea Ice Concentrations (NSIDC-0051)

Layer FormatsURLs
Open Layershttps://nsidc.org/api/mapservices/NSIDC/wms?service=WMS&version=1.1.0&request=GetMap&layers=NSIDC:nsidc_0051_raster_n&
styles=&bbox=-6931411.929201335,-6931411.929201335,6931411.929201335,6931411.929201335&width=768&
height=768&srs=EPSG:3413&format=application/openlayers
KMLhttps://nsidc.org/api/mapservices/NSIDC/wms/kml?layers=NSIDC:nsidc_0051_raster_n
XMLhttps://nsidc.org/api/mapservices/NSIDC/wcs?service=WCS&version=1.1.1&request=DescribeCoverage&
identifiers=NSIDC:nsidc_0051_raster_n

 

Table 3. Parameters for a GetMap Request for the Northern Hemisphere Sea Ice Concentrations (NSIDC-0051)

ParameterValuesDescription
serviceWMSWeb Map Service
version1.1.0Request version.
requestGetMapRequest name.
layersNSIDC:nsidc_0051_raster_nMap layer.
stylesnsidc_0051_raster_nA simple style for the nsidc_0051 Combined Sea Ice Extent North Rasters.
{empty}

Leave this parameter empty when you want to just see the data and use your own basemap. Land, ocean, coast, and pole hole are styled transparent which allows you to use your own basemap.

You should also set transparent to true when using an empty style because the default background is white.
bbox-6931411.929201335,-6931411.929201335,6931411.929201335,6931411.929201335Bounding box corners—lower left (min x, min y) and upper right (max x, max y).
width768Width of requested map in pixels.
height768Height of requested map in pixels.
srsEPSG:3413Spatial reference system. This must be specified as an EPSG code, which is a shorthand way of specifying a map projection and other coordinate parameters.
formatapplication/openlayers
KML
Output format of requested map. For a complete listing of all the formats, see the GeoServer WMS Output Formats Web page.
time

YYYY-MM-DD  - for daily data
YYYY-MM  - for monthly data

Where:

  • YYYY = 4-digit year
  • MM = 2-digit month
  • DD = 2-digit day
This layer provides yesterday's Northern Hemisphere daily passive microwave sea ice concentration raster data if the time parameter is left out of the URL call. However, by using the time parameter, you can pick a specific day of data.

 

Table 4. Parameters for a GetCoverage Request for the Northern Hemisphere Sea Ice Concentrations (NSIDC-0051)

ParameterValueDescription
serviceWCSWeb Coverage Service
version1.1.1Request version.
requestDescribeCoverageRequest name.
identifiersNSIDC:nsidc_0051_raster_nMap layer.

 

Southern Hemisphere

Southern Hemisphere Sea Ice Concentrations (NSIDC-0051)

To use the Data Map Services API for the Southern Hemisphere Sea Ice Concentrations layer, paste one of the following example URLs from Table 20 into the URL field of a browser. The query string can contain all or any combination of the parameters listed in Tables 21 and 22.

This layer provides yesterday's daily passive microwave sea ice concentration raster data if the time parameter is left out of the URL call. However, by using the time parameter, you can pick a specific day of data. Refer to Table 21 for the correct values.
The styles parameter is also left blank in the example URL below. Refer to Table 21 for the correct values.

 

Table 5. Layer URLs for the Southern Hemisphere Sea Ice Concentrations (NSIDC-0051)

Layer FormatsURLs
Open Layershttps://nsidc.org/api/mapservices/NSIDC/wms?service=WMS&version=1.1.0&request=GetMap&layers=NSIDC:nsidc_0051_raster_s&
styles=&bbox=-3949233.62506143,-3949574.38763074,3950766.37493857,4350425.61236926&width=730&
height=768&srs=EPSG:3031&format=application/openlayers
KMLhttps://nsidc.org/api/mapservices/NSIDC/wms/kml?layers=NSIDC:nsidc_0051_raster_s
XMLhttps://nsidc.org/api/mapservices/NSIDC/wcs?service=WCS&version=1.1.1&request=DescribeCoverage&identifiers=NSIDC:nsidc_0051_raster_s

 

Table 6. Parameters for a GetMap Request for the Southern Hemisphere Sea Ice Concentrations (NSIDC-0051)

ParameterValuesDescription
serviceWMSWeb Map Service
version1.1.0Request version, currently 1.1.0
requestGetMapRequest name.
layersNSIDC:nsidc_0051_raster_sMap layer.
stylesnsidc_0051_raster_sA simple style for the nsidc_0051 Combined Sea Ice Extent South Rasters.
{empty}

Leave this parameter empty when you want to just see the data and use your own basemap. Land, ocean, coast, and pole hole are styled transparent which allows you to use your own basemap.

You should also set transparent to true when using an empty style because the default background is white.
bbox-3949233.62506143,-3949574.38763074,3950766.37493857,4350425.61236926Bounding box corners—lower left (min x, min y) and upper right (max x, max y).
width730Width of requested map in pixels.
height768Height of requested map in pixels.
srsEPSG:3031Spatial reference system. This must be specified as an EPSG code, which is a shorthand way of specifying a map projection and other coordinate parameters.
formatapplication/openlayers
KML
Output format of requested map. For a complete listing of all the formats, see the GeoServer WMS Output Formats Web page.
time

YYYY-MM-DD  - for daily data
YYYY-MM  - for monthly data

Where:

  • YYYY = 4-digit year
  • MM = 2-digit month
  • DD = 2-digit day
This layer provides yesterday's daily passive microwave sea ice concentration raster data if the time parameter is left out of the URL call. However, by using the time parameter, you can pick a specific day of data.

 

Table 7. Parameters for a GetCoverage Request for the Southern Hemisphere Sea Ice Concentrations (NSIDC-0051)

ParameterValueDescription
serviceWCSWeb Coverage Service
version1.1.1Request version.
requestDescribeCoverageRequest name.
identifiersNSIDC:nsidc_0051_raster_sMap layer.

Global

MEaSures Global Daily Freeze/Thaw Status (NSIDC-0477)

To use the Data Map Services API for the MEaSures Global Daily Freeze/Thaw Status layer, paste one of the following example URLs from Table 38 into the URL field of a browser. The query string can contain all or any combination of the parameters listed in Tables 39 and 40.

This layer provides global daily freeze/thaw raster data for yesterday if the time parameter is left out of the URL call. However, by using the time parameter, you can pick a specific day of data. Refer to Table 39 for the correct values.
The styles parameter is also left blank in the example URL below. Refer to Table 39 for the correct values.

 

Table 8. Layer URLs for the MEaSures Global Daily Freeze/Thaw Status

Layer FormatsURLs
Open Layershttps://nsidc.org/api/mapservices/NSIDC/wms?service=WMS&version=1.1.0&request=GetMap&layers=NSIDC:nsidc_0477_raster_g&
styles=&bbox=-179.999995782115,-86.6455078228849,179.73969210058,86.7167440800636&width=768&
height=370&srs=EPSG:4326&format=application/openlayers
KMLhttps://nsidc.org/api/mapservices/NSIDC/wms/kml?layers=NSIDC:nsidc_0477_raster_g
XMLhttps://nsidc.org/api/mapservices/NSIDC/wcs?service=WCS&version=1.1.1&request=DescribeCoverage&identifiers=NSIDC:nsidc_0477_raster_g

 

Table 9. Parameters for a GetMap Request for the MEaSures Global Daily Freeze/Thaw Status

ParameterValuesDescription
serviceWMSWeb Map Service
version1.1.0Request version, currently 1.1.0
requestGetMapRequest name.
layersNSIDC:nsidc_0477_raster_gMap layer.
stylesNSIDC0477_RasterA simple style for the combined freeze-thaw rasters.
bbox179.999995782115,-86.6455078228849,179.73969210058,86.7167440800636Bounding box corners—lower left (min x, min y) and upper right (max x, max y).
width768Width of requested map in pixels.
height370Height of requested map in pixels.
srsEPSG:4326Spatial reference system. This must be specified as an EPSG code, which is a shorthand way of specifying a map projection and other coordinate parameters.
formatapplication/openlayers
KML
Output format of requested map. For a complete listing of all the formats, see the GeoServer WMS Output Formats Web page.
time

YYYY-MM-DD  - for daily data
YYYY-MM  - for monthly data

Where:

  • YYYY = 4-digit year
  • MM = 2-digit month
  • DD = 2-digit day
This layer provides global daily freeze/thaw raster data for yesterday if the time parameter is left out of the URL call. However, by using the time parameter, you can pick a specific day of data.

 

Table 10. Parameters for a GetCoverage Request for the MEaSures Global Daily Freeze/Thaw Status

ParameterValueDescription
serviceWCSWeb Coverage Service
version1.1.1Request version.
requestDescribeCoverageRequest name.
identifiersNSIDC:nsidc_0477_raster_gMap layer.

IceBridge Flight Lines

To use the Data Map Services API for the IceBridge Flight Lines layer, paste one of the following example URLs from Table 41 into the URL field of a browser. The query string can contain all or any combination of the parameters listed in Tables 42 and 43.

This layer provides IceBridge flight lines for the selected map region as vectors. IceBridge flights within the selected time span are show in map view. The flight lines are presented as a simple line drawn in the map projection. Refer to Table 42 for the correct time values.
The styles parameter is also left blank in the example URL below. Refer to Table 42 for the correct values.

 

Table 11. Layer URLs for the IceBridge Flight Lines

Layer FormatsURLs
Open Layershttps://nsidc.org/api/mapservices/NSIDC/wms?service=WMS&version=1.1.0&request=GetMap&layers=NSIDC:icebridge_flightlines&
styles=&bbox=-180.0,-90.0,180.0,90.0&width=768&height=384&srs=EPSG:4326&format=application/openlayers
KMLhttps://nsidc.org/api/mapservices/NSIDC/wms/kml?layers=NSIDC:icebridge_flightlines
GMLhttps://nsidc.org/api/mapservices/NSIDC/ows?service=WFS&version=1.0.0&request=GetFeature&
typeName=NSIDC:icebridge_flightlines&maxFeatures=50

 

Table 12. Parameters for a GetMap Request for the IceBridge Flight Lines

ParameterValuesDescription
serviceWMSWeb Map Service
version1.1.0Request version, currently 1.1.0
requestGetMapRequest name.
layersNSIDC:icebridge_flightlinesMap layer.
stylesDefault LineA sample style that draws a line.
bbox-180.0,-90.0,180.0,90.0Bounding box corners—lower left (min x, min y) and upper right (max x, max y).
width768Width of requested map in pixels.
height384Height of requested map in pixels.
srsEPSG:4326Spatial reference system. This must be specified as an EPSG code, which is a shorthand way of specifying a map projection and other coordinate parameters.
formatapplication/openlayers
KML
GML
Output format of requested map. For a complete listing of all the formats, see the GeoServer WMS Output Formats Web page.
time

YYYY-MM-DD  - for daily data
YYYY-MM  - for monthly data

Where:

  • YYYY = 4-digit year
  • MM = 2-digit month
  • DD = 2-digit day
This layer provides IceBridge flight lines for the selected map region as vectors. IceBridge flights within the selected time span are show in map view. The flight lines are presented as a simple line drawn in the map projection.

Table 13. Parameters for a GetFeature Request for the IceBridge Flight Lines

ParameterValuesDescription
serviceWFSWeb Feature Service
version1.1.0Request version, currently 1.1.0
requestGetFeaturesRequest name.
typeNameNSIDC:icebridge_flightlinesLayer for which to request source data.
maxFeatures50Optional: Number of features to include in the output. Useful if you want to inspect the output first before requesting an entire file

Global Land Ice Velocity Extraction from Landsat 8 (NSIDC-0710)

To use the Data Map Services API for the Global Land Ice Velocity Extraction from Landsat 8 layer, paste one of the following example URLs from Table 44 into the URL field of a browser. The query string can contain all or any combination of the parameters listed in Tables 45, 46, and 47.

This layer provides raster data of ice speed for all ice areas greater than 5km2 within the selected map area and over the time range indicated. The data are presented as raster data of the scalar of velocity, colorized to indicate the ice flow speed. Refer to Table 45 for the correct time values.
The styles parameter is also left blank in the example URL below. Refer to Table 45 for the correct values.

 

Table 14. Layer URLs for the Global Land Ice Velocity Extraction from Landsat 8

Layer FormatsURLs
Open Layershttps://nsidc.org/api/mapservices/NSIDC/wms?service=WMS&version=1.1.0&request=GetMap&layers=NSIDC:golive_s&
styles=&bbox=-180.0,-82.696,180.0,82.696&width=768&height=352&srs=EPSG:4326&format=application/openlayers
KMLhttps://nsidc.org/api/mapservices/NSIDC/wms/kml?layers=NSIDC:golive_s
GMLhttps://nsidc.org/api/mapservices/NSIDC/ows?service=WFS&version=1.0.0&request=GetFeature&typeName=NSIDC:golive_s&maxFeatures=50
XMLhttps://geoserver.apps.int.nsidc.org/geoserver/NSIDC/wcs?service=WCS&version=1.1.1&request=DescribeCoverage&identifiers=NSIDC:golive_s

 

Table 15. Parameters for a GetMap Request for the Global Land Ice Velocity Extraction from Landsat 8

ParameterValuesDescription
serviceWMSWeb Map Service
version1.1.0Request version, currently 1.1.0
requestGetMapRequest name.
layersNSIDC:golive_sMap layer.
stylesDefault PolygonA sample style that draws a polygon.
bbox180.0,-82.696,180.0,82.696Bounding box corners—lower left (min x, min y) and upper right (max x, max y).
width768Width of requested map in pixels.
height352Height of requested map in pixels.
srsEPSG:4326Spatial reference system. This must be specified as an EPSG code, which is a shorthand way of specifying a map projection and other coordinate parameters.
formatapplication/openlayers
KML
GML
Output format of requested map. For a complete listing of all the formats, see the GeoServer WMS Output Formats Web page.
time

YYYY-MM-DD  - for daily data
YYYY-MM  - for monthly data

Where:

  • YYYY = 4-digit year
  • MM = 2-digit month
  • DD = 2-digit day
This layer provides raster data of ice speed for all ice areas greater than 5km2 within the selected map area and over the time range indicated. The data are presented as raster data of the scalar of velocity, colorized to indicate the ice flow speed.

 

Table 16. Parameters for a GetFeature Request for the Global Land Ice Velocity Extraction from Landsat 8

ParameterValuesDescription
serviceWFSWeb Feature Service
version1.1.0Request version, currently 1.1.0
requestGetFeaturesRequest name.
typeNameNSIDC:golive_sLayer for which to request source data.
maxFeatures50Optional: Number of features to include in the output. Useful if you want to inspect the output first before requesting an entire file

 

Table 17. Parameters for a GetCoverage Request for the Global Land Ice Velocity Extraction from Landsat 8

ParameterValueDescription
serviceWCSWeb Coverage Service
version1.1.1Request version.
requestDescribeCoverageRequest name.
identifiersNSIDC:golive_sMap layer.

Greenland

Greenland Melt

To use the Data Map Services API for the Greenland Melt layer, paste one of the following example URLs from Table 48 into the URL field of a browser. The query string can contain all or any combination of the parameters listed in Tables 49 and 50.

This layer provides a passive-microwave-derived indication of of melt extend (for daily data) or a map of the number of days that melt was detected in a mapped grid cell (for monthly data). One-day extent data are presented as a binary mask (melt / no-melt) and the monthly melt days data are provided as an integer for each grid cell (0 to 31).
The styles parameter is also left blank in the example URL below. Refer to Table 49 for the correct values.

 

Table 18. Layer URLs for the Greenland Melt

Layer FormatsURLs
Open Layershttps://nsidc.org/api/mapservices/NSIDC/wms?service=WMS&version=1.1.0&request=GetMap&layers=NSIDC:greenland_melt&
styles=&bbox=-9000000.0,-9000000.0,9000000.0,9000000.0&width=768&height=768&srs=EPSG:6931&format=application/openlayers
KMLhttps://nsidc.org/api/mapservices/NSIDC/wms/kml?layers=NSIDC:greenland_melt
XMLhttps://geoserver.apps.int.nsidc.org/geoserver/NSIDC/wcs?service=WCS&version=1.1.1&request=DescribeCoverage&
identifiers=NSIDC:greenland_melt

 

Table 19. Parameters for a GetMap Request for the Greenland Melt

ParameterValuesDescription
serviceWMSWeb Map Service
version1.1.0Request version, currently 1.1.0
requestGetMapRequest name.
layersNSIDC:greenland_meltMap layer.
stylesgreenland_melt 
bbox-9000000.0,-9000000.0,9000000.0,9000000.0Bounding box corners—lower left (min x, min y) and upper right (max x, max y).
width768Width of requested map in pixels.
height768Height of requested map in pixels.
srsEPSG:6931Spatial reference system. This must be specified as an EPSG code, which is a shorthand way of specifying a map projection and other coordinate parameters.
formatapplication/openlayers
KML
Output format of requested map. For a complete listing of all the formats, see the GeoServer WMS Output Formats Web page.
time

YYYY-MM-DD  - for daily data
YYYY-MM  - for monthly data

Where:

  • YYYY = 4-digit year
  • MM = 2-digit month
  • DD = 2-digit day
This layer provides a passive-microwave-derived indication of of melt extend (for daily data) or a map of the number of days that melt was detected in a mapped grid cell (for monthly data). One-day extent data are presented as a binary mask (melt / no-melt) and the monthly melt days data are provided as an integer for each grid cell (0 to 31).

 

Table 20. Parameters for a GetCoverage Request for the Greenland Melt

ParameterValueDescription
serviceWCSWeb Coverage Service
version1.1.1Request version.
requestDescribeCoverageRequest name.
identifiersNSIDC:greenland_meltMap layer.

MEaSUREs Greenland Ice Sheet Velocity Map from InSAR (NSIDC-0478)

To use the Data Map Services API for the Greenland Melt layer, paste one of the following example URLs from Table 51 into the URL field of a browser. The query string can contain all or any combination of the parameters listed in Tables 52 and 53.

This layer provides the observed mean ice flow speed for the time period selected. Monthly, seasonal, annual, or multi-annual mappings are available. These mappings generally represent a trade-off between temporal detail (for glaciers that vary in speed) and accuracy (more accurate speeds are produced for the longer time-intervals of the mapping). Daily data are not available. Refer to Table 52 for the correct time values.
The styles parameter is also left blank in the example URL below. Refer to Table 52 for the correct values.

 

Table 21. Layer MEaSUREs Greenland Ice Sheet Velocity Map from InSAR

Layer FormatsURLs
Open Layershttps://nsidc.org/api/mapservices/NSIDC/wms?service=WMS&version=1.1.0&request=GetMap&layers=NSIDC:nsidc_0478_v2_measures_greenland_ice_sheet_vel&
styles=&bbox=-659100.0,-3379100.0,857900.0,-639100.0&width=425&height=768&srs=EPSG:3413&format=application/openlayers
KMLhttps://nsidc.org/api/mapservices/NSIDC/wms/kml?layers=NSIDC:nsidc_0478_v2_measures_greenland_ice_sheet_vel
XMLhttps://geoserver.apps.int.nsidc.org/geoserver/NSIDC/wcs?service=WCS&version=1.1.1&request=DescribeCoverage&
identifiers=NSIDC:nsidc_0478_v2_measures_greenland_ice_sheet_vel

 

Table 22. Parameters for a GetMap Request for the MEaSUREs Greenland Ice Sheet Velocity Map from InSAR

ParameterValuesDescription
serviceWMSWeb Map Service
version1.1.0Request version, currently 1.1.0
requestGetMapRequest name.
layersNSIDC:nsidc_0478_v2_measures_greenland_ice_sheet_velMap layer.
stylesnsidc0478_rignot 
bbox-659100.0,-3379100.0,857900.0,-639100.0Bounding box corners—lower left (min x, min y) and upper right (max x, max y).
width425Width of requested map in pixels.
height768Height of requested map in pixels.
srsEPSG:3413Spatial reference system. This must be specified as an EPSG code, which is a shorthand way of specifying a map projection and other coordinate parameters.
formatapplication/openlayers
KML
Output format of requested map. For a complete listing of all the formats, see the GeoServer WMS Output Formats Web page.
time

YYYY-MM-DD  - for daily data
YYYY-MM  - for monthly data

Where:

  • YYYY = 4-digit year
  • MM = 2-digit month
  • DD = 2-digit day
This layer provides the observed mean ice flow speed for the time period selected. Monthly, seasonal, annual, or multi-annual mappings are available. These mappings generally represent a trade-off between temporal detail (for glaciers that vary in speed) and accuracy (more accurate speeds are produced for the longer time-intervals of the mapping). Daily data are not available.

 

Table 23. Parameters for a GetCoverage Request for the MEaSUREs Greeland Ice Sheet Velocity Map from InSAR

ParameterValueDescription
serviceWCSWeb Coverage Service
version1.1.1Request version.
requestDescribeCoverageRequest name.
identifiersNSIDC:nsidc_0478_v2_measures_greenland_ice_sheet_velMap layer.