The WGMS regularly compiles and publishes standardized data on glacier changes in length, area, volume, and mass based on in-situ and remotely sensed observations. A corresponding call-for-data is annually sent out through the National Correspondents of the WGMS who organize the collection and submission of the glacier data within their country. Apart from the official calls-for-data, the WGMS welcomes any glacier data that is submitted according to the standards described below.
For the submission of glacier fluctuation data (i.e., changes in length, area, volume, and mass), please carefully read the FoG submission instructions.
- WGMS (2023, updated from earlier versions): FoG submission instructions. World Glacier Monitoring Service, Zurich, Switzerland: 41 pp. [pdf]
To submit data with the help of a template, you can either edit a copy of the Google Sheets or download the Microsoft Excel file:
Google Sheets template: Digital Data Submission Form. World Glacier Monitoring Service, Zurich, Switzerland. [link]
- Make and open your own copy of the template (you will be prompted to sign in to your Google account if not already). This copy will be stored in the Google Drive of your Google account.
- Fill out the template. Dropdowns, automatic validation, and red highlighting will help you catch errors as you work. Hover over a column name for additional information about that column.
- Note that you find the WGMS ID’s of your glaciers in the glacier lookup table.
- IMPORTANT – The template relies on formulas, data validation, and formatting to function. If using copy-paste, paste values only:
- Windows: Edit > Paste special > Paste values only (Control-Shift-V)
- Mac: Edit > Paste special > Paste values only (Command-Shift-V)
- To submit, share it with the WGMS: Share > Add people and groups > wgms@geo.uzh.ch (as editor)
Microsoft Excel template: Digital Data Submission Form. World Glacier Monitoring Service, Zurich, Switzerland. [excel]
- Fill out the template. Dropdowns, automatic validation, and red highlighting will help you catch errors as you work. Hover over a column name for additional information about that column.
- Note that you find the WGMS ID’s of your glaciers in the glacier lookup table.
- IMPORTANT – The template relies on formulas, data validation, and formatting to function. If using copy-paste, paste values only:
- Windows: Edit > Paste special… (Alt-Control-V) > Values
- Mac: Edit > Paste special… (Command-Control-V) > Values
- To submit, email it to the WGMS: wgms@geo.uzh.ch
Note that also other submission formats are possible, such as csv-files, as long as they follow a strict format and naming convention: Each table as a comma-separated values (CSV) file with column names in the first (header) row and data in subsequent rows, with the file named “
The progress of data submission can be followed directly on our website.
Based on the received data we will update our online products and start the preparations for the next report.
For the submission of glacier reconstructions (i.e., front variation series), more information can be found here.
For the submission of other glacier datasets (i.e., inventory, photographs) please check the GTN-G website! If you have any further questions concerning the data submission, please do not hesitate to contact us!