World Glacier Inventory, Version 1

Notice: Due to funding limitations, this data set was recently changed to a “Basic” Level of Service. Learn more about what this means for users and how you can share your story here: <a href="https://nsidc.org/data/user-resources/data-announcements/user-notice-level-service-update-data-products">Level of Service Update for Data Products</a>.<br><br>

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).