A GlaMBIE-2 Information Meeting was held on September 24, providing an overview of the project and planned activities. Two sessions held at different times brought together members of the GlaMBIE consortium and participants from around the world to discuss the experiment’s objectives, the submission process and data requirements. We would like to thank all participants for their contribution and engagement.
A recording of the meeting is available for those who were unable to attend:
The sessions included a Q&A segment addressing participant questions.
Q&A Summary
Why was 1992 chosen as the starting year for GlaMBIE-2?
1992 is the start date in agreement with the ESA proposal, and in line with the IMBIE example. Note that in practice, users can submit their best resolution and time period as available. It is acknowledged that not all methods cover the entire period and there might be data gaps. Hopefully we can bias-correct before 1992 using in situ data.
What temporal resolution is used for the main study and why? How will annual estimates be handled?
Annual means are produced, aligned with hydrological years. Participants however can submit data at any resolution (individual periods must be longer than a week). GlaMBIE-2 will update the previous estimates, but in parallel we also want to improve methodologically preparing the ground for GlaMBIE-3. The main study will build on the GlaMBIE-1 method and also test combining data using Gaussian processors and data assimilation. Given the time constraints of the project, we expect to base the main paper on the approved methodology from GlaMBIE-1, but to test and implement methodological improvements within the pilot studies.
How are combined or modelled datasets going to be handled?
Combined datasets (e.g. with MODIS) are welcome. Their consistency with long-term trends will be assessed, though full data assimilation may be beyond GlaMBIE-2’s current scope.
What kind of data submissions are expected?
Submissions may include satellite- or ground-based data over any period (including before 1992). Contributors are asked to provide their best available data and coverage.
Do submissions need to cover entire RGI regions? Will GlaMBIE-2 or the pilot studies consider sub-regional or catchment-level results?
Yes, for the main experiment we only collect data that are considered representative for an entire region. Single-glacier data should be submitted to WGMS (as before). However, pilot studies may use smaller areas or catchments.
How will hydrological applications be addressed?
One goal is to develop datasets suitable for hydrological modelling, ideally aligned with WMO catchment boundaries.
Will GlaMBIE-2 explore how different glacier outlines (e.g. RGI6 vs RGI7) affect results?
Ideally we want to update to RGI7 but it may not be as straightforward to do so. The team plans to assess impacts of updated outlines and area-change rates in test cases (e.g. where Pléiades data are available for comparison). For the main study, practical workarounds may be applied.
Will data be made publicly available?
Yes. All input and output datasets will be shared with DOI numbers, as in GlaMBIE-1.
How will pilot study regions be selected?
Based on overlap between DEM differencing, altimetry, and validation data (e.g. ASTER, lidar). A catalogue will be developed as a starting point, followed by a call for data.
Can pilot study meetings/workshops be merged?
Possibly. The number of task groups is still to be decided. There will be some overlap between the different task groups and we will aim to coordinate them to maintain community involvement.
