World Glacier Monitoring Service
The World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS) is an international organization established in 1986 to collect standardized data on glacier fluctuations and inventories. It plays a crucial role in climate system monitoring by providing essential data for hydrological modeling and glaciological research, contributing to our understanding of atmospheric warming's effects.
Key Facts
- ›Established in 1986 through the combination of PSFG and TTS/WGI.
- ›A service of the International Association of the Cryospheric Sciences and the World Data System.
- ›Works under the auspices of UNEP, UNESCO, and WMO.
- ›Based at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, with Michael Zemp as Director.
- ›Collects standardized observations on glacier mass, volume, area, and length changes.
- ›Contributes to the Global Terrestrial Network for Glaciers (GTN-G) by integrating in-situ and remote sensing data.
Known For
- Comprehensive collection of global glacier fluctuation and inventory data
- Role in climate system monitoring and hydrological modeling
- United Nations Environment Programme
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
- World Meteorological Organization
About World Glacier Monitoring Service
The World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS) is an international organization established in 1986, formed by the consolidation of the former Permanent Service on Fluctuations of Glaciers (PSFG) and the Temporal Technical Secretary/World Glacier Inventory (TTS/WGI). It operates as a service of the International Association of the Cryospheric Sciences (IACS) and the World Data System (WDS), with support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Core Mission and Data Collection
The primary function of the WGMS is to collect standardized observations on glacier fluctuations, which include changes in mass, volume, area, and length over time. It also gathers statistical information for glacier inventories, detailing the spatial distribution of perennial surface ice. This data is crucial for monitoring the global climate system and is fundamental to glaciology, glacial geomorphology, and quaternary geology.
Importance in Climate Research
The data provided by the WGMS is considered high-priority for climate system monitoring. It serves as a vital basis for hydrological modeling, allowing scientists to assess the potential effects of atmospheric warming on water resources and ecosystems. The long and uninterrupted records available for regions like the Alps and Scandinavia are particularly valuable.
Global Collaboration and Initiatives
The WGMS is based at the University of Zurich in Switzerland, with Michael Zemp serving as its Director. In close collaboration with entities such as the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) and the Global Land Ice Measurements from Space (GLIMS) initiative, the WGMS manages the Global Terrestrial Network for Glaciers (GTN-G). This initiative aims to integrate in-situ measurements with remotely sensed data, combining process understanding with global coverage and employing a multi-level strategy that bridges traditional measurement techniques with new technologies.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS)?
The World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS) is an international organization dedicated to collecting and standardizing data on glacier changes worldwide. It was established in 1986 by combining two previous services.
What kind of data does the WGMS collect?
The WGMS collects standardized observations on changes in the mass, volume, area, and length of glaciers over time, known as glacier fluctuations. They also gather statistical information on the distribution of perennial surface ice, referred to as glacier inventories.
Why is the data collected by the WGMS important?
The data collected by the WGMS are considered high-priority key variables for climate system monitoring. This information forms a basis for hydrological modeling related to atmospheric warming and provides fundamental insights into glaciology, glacial geomorphology, and quaternary geology.
Where is the WGMS based?
The WGMS is based at a center at the University of Zurich in Switzerland. Michael Zemp serves as the Director of the Service.
What organizations support the WGMS?
The WGMS is a service of the International Association of the Cryospheric Sciences (IACS) and the World Data System (WDS). It also works under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
What is the Global Terrestrial Network for Glaciers (GTN-G)?
The WGMS, in collaboration with the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) and the Global Land Ice Measurements from Space (GLIMS) initiative, is responsible for the Global Terrestrial Network for Glaciers (GTN-G). This network aims to integrate in-situ observations with remotely sensed data and combine process understanding with global coverage.