Global Glacier Extinction Explorer

The projection of individual glacier extinction dates is now publicly available for multiple warming scenarios.

A new interactive map, the Global Glacier Extinction Explorer, has been launched to visualize the projected extinction dates of individual glaciers worldwide. Developed by researchers, the tool uses three global glacier models (GloGEM, OGGM, PyGEM) combined with multiple General Circulation Models and emission scenarios. It defines glacier extinction as an area below 0.01 km² or remaining volume below 1% of its initial value. The map displays projected extinction years across four temperature increase scenarios: +1.5°C, +2.0°C, +2.7°C, and +4.0°C. Users can navigate the map, select scenarios, and hover or click on glaciers for detailed information, including median extinction years and probability intervals. The initiative, coinciding with the UN International Year of Glacier Preservation in 2025, shifts focus from mass loss to the fate of individual ice bodies, acknowledging their cultural, ecological, and societal value.

The Global Glacier Extinction Explorer represents a significant shift in how glacial changes are communicated, moving beyond aggregate mass loss to focus on the granular disappearance of individual ice bodies. This detailed approach highlights the distinct timelines for glacier extinction across different warming scenarios, providing a more nuanced understanding of the impacts. By incorporating data from multiple global glacier models and climate projections, the tool offers a robust and publicly accessible visualization of future glacial loss.

This initiative is particularly relevant in the context of the UN International Year of Glacier Preservation and underscores the localized cultural, ecological, and societal values tied to individual glaciers. The availability of this data could inform regional water resource management, conservation efforts, and climate change adaptation strategies. Future research may leverage this granular data to refine impact assessments and develop more targeted preservation initiatives.