Please note: Due to browser FTP deprecation, users will no longer be able to access NCEI data via browser FTP clients. Users may access data via NCEI Web Accessible Folders and/or FTP client supported applications. We apologize for any inconvenience. See this document as reference.
Ice Core
The World Data Center (WDC) for Paleoclimatology maintains archives of ice core data from polar and low-latitude mountain glaciers and ice caps throughout the world. Proxy climate indicators include oxygen isotopes, methane concentrations, dust content, as well as many other parameters.
Obtaining Data at the World Data Center
Search Datasets
- Ice Core Search Engine
Search through ice core studies using Investigator, Title, Location Name, Parameters, and Latitude/Longitude Bounds. - Interactive Map
Select study locations by region, proximity to a point, or text-based attributes. - Google Earth Map
Locate and download ice core studies using a Google Earth map interface. Google Earth must be installed to use this search tool. - Search All Paleoclimatology Data
Access a free text search of our entire study archive. - NCEI Paleo Web Service
Harvest ice core study metadata records using the NCEI Paleo Web Service.
Browse Datasets
- List of Ice Core Datasets by Title and Investigator
- List of Ice Core Datasets by Location Name
- Ice Core Datasets from Our FTP Site
Contributing Data
Investigators who wish to contribute their data to our Ice Core archive can find information on contributing below. Data and study description information can be contributed by emailing your data to paleo@noaa.gov.
Other Data Archives
Additional sources for data and information on ice cores and climate science.
- Trieste 2008 Workshop Report on Ice Cores
Report on the sources of uncertainty in ice core climate proxy data. - National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC)
Research center that manages and distributes scientific data from all of the Earth's frozen environments. They also create data access tools and support data users. - U.S. National Ice Core Laboratory (NICL)
Facility that stores, curates, and studies ice cores recovered from all over the world and provides scientists opportunities for future study of these cores.
