The original design of the GLIMS Glacier Database included many features that have not been used in practice. The data model is also not well aligned with actual use of GLIMS data. For example, nunataks (rock outcrops or mountains that are internal to a glacier) are currently represented as separate polygons, linked to the glacier through the GLIMS glacier ID, and attributed as "intrnl_rock" (rather than "glac_bound", as are glacier boundary polygons). By contrast, the Randolph Glacier Inventory (RGI), which is derived from GLIMS, uses "holes" (interior rings) in the glacier boundary polygons to represent nunataks. This refactoring will simplify the design of the GLIMS Glacier Database and better align it with actual modern use.
The main changes to the GLIMS Glacier Database will be:
* Nunataks will be represented as holes in the boundary polygon;
* Formerly 3-D polygons ("POLYGON Z") will be 2-D ("POLYGON")
If you discover any problems or bugs, please submit an Issue. If you would like to contribute to this repository, you may fork the repository and submit a pull request. We will do our best to incorporate your ideas. You may also contact people on the GLIMS Core Team.
This work is supported by the National Snow and Ice Data Center with funding from the NASA NSIDC DAAC.