Due to recent pronounced changes in the cryosphere, there is a huge increase in demand for visualization tools that let users, of all levels of expertise, quickly grasp the severity and extent of these changes. Thus, NSIDC is exploring new capabilities to aid users in this area. The following are the new visualization tools developed by NSIDC:

Google Earth: NSIDC and the DAAC have created a variety of Google Earth files that let users overlay images onto a virtual globe.   These files and animations take advantage of our long time series data for scientific and outreach purposes.

Atlas of the Cryosphere: This Atlas lets users create dynamic maps of the polar regions with customized basemaps and data layers. The resulting files and animations are well-suited for science and education efforts.

GLIMS Glacier Database: The GLIMS project is currently creating a unique glacier inventory, storing information about the extent and rates of change of all the world's glacial resources. A Glacier Viewer is available and was developed to provide a front-end mapping interface to the GLIMS Glacier Database. A number of different layers in this interface can be viewed and spatially queried including: GLIMS Glacier Outlines, ASTER Footprints, Regional Center Locations, the World Glacier Inventory, and others.