GLIMS Data Export

GLIMS Data are available in these file formats:

Because the GLIMS Database is very extensive, a pre-defined set of attributes has been created to accompany the data. Not all fields are populated for all glaciers.

The downloaded data set consists primarily of polygons. For each glacier analysis there is a polygon that represents the glacier boundary and (where they are present) there are polygons representing the locations of internal rocks that are contained within the boundaries of the glacier. The internal rock polygons are attributed as 'intrnl_rock' in the line_type attribute field.

Citing GLIMS Data:

Please select the file format and archive type for your data:

File format:



Zip Format Tar Format

Please select the data model for your data:

GLIMS (multi-temporal) data
Internal rock representation:

Geometry Data Models

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The GLIMS data model represents internal rock outcrops (nunataks) with separate polygons that have the "line_type" attribute set to "intrnl_rock". The glacier boundary is a simple polygon (without holes), and the line_type attribute is set to "glac_bound".

The Randolph Glacier Inventory (RGI) data model represents internal rock outcrops as holes in the glacier boundary polygon. Some prefer this because it is easier to calculate glacier area, among other things.

GLIMS data are stored only once in the database, and the RGI model is created on the fly when requested.

Holes (RGI-like)Geometry: Nunataks as holes
Separate polygons (GLIMS-like)Geometry: Nunataks as separate polygons

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