Observe glaciers worldwide with new app

Over 3,700 glaciers are scientifically described and illustrated in the new app. The app from the World Glacier Monitoring Service, based at the University of Zurich, makes collected data from glaciers observed worldwide publicly available. It shows how many glaciers are still advancing or how well developed glacier monitoring is in your own country. The "WGMS Glacier App" is based on a comprehensive research database and is intended to provide decision-makers at national and intergovernmental level with well-founded facts and figures. Glaciologists from the University of Zurich are launching the new app together with Unesco at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris. "We want to raise delegations' awareness of the fact that climate change is already happening today," says Michael Zemp, Director of the World Glacier Monitoring Service and glaciologist at the University of Zurich.

The app provides data on the size, elevation and ice loss of glaciers (left). A compass points from the user's current position to the nearest documented glaciers (right)

Increasing the visibility of glacier researchers

The "wgms Glacier App" shows all glaciers observed worldwide on a satellite map. The glaciers are illustrated and comprehensively described - for example with information on area and altitude. Users can filter all glaciers by name, country, region and measurement type. They can also find out whether a glacier has gained or lost ice in the last decade. A compass points from the user's current position to the nearest documented glaciers. With the "Glacier Top Trumps" game, you can compare the best-monitored glaciers in the world and compete with the computer. In addition, graphics with observation data illustrate the development of the glaciers. The scientists are also mentioned by name and the measurement types are described in detail. "We want to increase the visibility of hundreds of glacier observers around the world. Because they document the effects of climate change on glaciers," says Nico Mölg, scientific project manager of the World Glacier Monitoring Service.

A compass points from the user's current position to the nearest documented glaciers

Available in four languages

The "WGMS Glacier App" is available in German, English, Spanish and Russian for Apple and Android devices. It was developed jointly by the World Glacier Monitoring Service and Ubique, the company responsible for the technical implementation. "The wealth of glacier data is presented in the best possible way for each target group thanks to the different access points using a map, text search, compass and glacier game. We have used the means of modern smartphones to achieve a very good user-friendliness in the presentation of scientific data," says Mathias Wellig, Managing Director of Ubique.

With the game "Glacier Top Trumps" you can compare the best-monitored glaciers in the world and compete with the computer