Global Land Ice Velocity Maps from Landsat 8 Satellite Imagery

GoLIVE provides a global compilation of ice velocity measurements derived from Landsat 8 panchromatic images. The dataset covers all terrestrial permanent ice masses larger than 5 km² between 82°S and 82°N, with monthly updates and velocity grids generated at a 300-meter sample spacing. It is produced by the NSIDC using an image correlation algorithm on satellite image pairs.

Use Cases

• Modeling ice discharge and mass balance for the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets using velocity vector grids.
• Monitoring seasonal and interannual flow variations of mountain glaciers via 300m x 300m sub-image mappings.
• Calibrating and validating numerical ice flow models with displacement data referenced to rock outcrops.
• Assessing glacier response to climate change across global latitudes from 82°S to 82°N.
• Providing input for hazard assessment related to glacial lake outburst floods through velocity change detection.

Strengths

• Global coverage of all permanent ice >5 km² from 82°S to 82°N, a uniquely extensive spatial scope.
• Monthly update cycle using new Landsat 8 acquisitions paired with older images within 96-400 days.
• Velocity data accuracy ranges from ~1 m/day to 0.02 m/day depending on image pair time separation.
• Data generation uses ground control from in-image rock outcrops or slow-moving ice, with satellite geo-positioning accurate to +/-5 meters.

Limitations

• Conflicting last updated dates exist between sources: one states 2026-03-13, another 2017-04-30.
• Specific row counts, file sizes, and detailed column names are not provided by any platform.
• Velocity accuracy is variable and dependent on the time separation between the paired satellite images.

Provenance

Source

NSIDC

Collection Method

Generated by an image correlation algorithm applied to pairs of Landsat 8 panchromatic images.

Time Range

May 2013 to present

Freshness

2026-03-13 02:13:17.894799

Geography

Global, covering all terrestrial permanent ice within 82°S to 82°N latitude.