Articles | Volume 18, issue 15
https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-4951-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-4951-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Development and technical paper
| 
13 Aug 2025
Development and technical paper |
| 13 Aug 2025
| 13 Aug 2025
DNS (v1.0): an open-source ray-tracing tool for space geodetic techniques
Florian Zus
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
Kyriakos Balidakis
GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG), 60598 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Ali Hasan Dogan
Department of Geomatics Engineering, Gaziosmanpasa University, 60150, Tokat, Türkiye
Rohith Thundathil
GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany
Galina Dick
GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
Jens Wickert
GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany
Related authors
Rohith Thundathil, Florian Zus, Galina Dick, and Jens Wickert
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-19, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-19, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Tropospheric gradients provide information on the moisture distribution, whereas ZTDs provide the absolute amount of moisture through integrated water vapor. When TGs are assimilated with ZTDs, it helps the model actuate the moisture fields, correcting its dynamics. In our research, we show evidence that in particular regions with very few GNSS stations, the assimilation of gradients on top of ZTDs can provide the same impact as the assimilation of only ZTDs with dense coverage of GNSS stations.
Rohith Thundathil, Florian Zus, Galina Dick, and Jens Wickert
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 3599–3616, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-3599-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-3599-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) provides moisture observations through its densely distributed ground station network. In this research, we assimilate a new type of observation called tropospheric gradient observations, which has never been incorporated into a weather model. We develop a forward operator for gradient-based observations and conduct an assimilation impact study. The study shows significant improvements in the model's humidity fields.
Karina Wilgan, Galina Dick, Florian Zus, and Jens Wickert
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 21–39, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-21-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-21-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The assimilation of GNSS data in weather models has a positive impact on the forecasts. The impact is still limited due to using only the GPS zenith direction parameters. We calculate and validate more advanced tropospheric products from three satellite systems: the US American GPS, Russian GLONASS and European Galileo. The quality of all the solutions is comparable; however, combining more GNSS systems enhances the observations' geometry and improves the quality of the weather forecasts.
Benjamin Männel, Florian Zus, Galina Dick, Susanne Glaser, Maximilian Semmling, Kyriakos Balidakis, Jens Wickert, Marion Maturilli, Sandro Dahlke, and Harald Schuh
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 5127–5138, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-5127-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-5127-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Within the MOSAiC expedition, GNSS was used to monitor variations in atmospheric water vapor. Based on 15 months of continuously tracked data, coordinates and hourly zenith total delays (ZTDs) were determined using kinematic precise point positioning. The derived ZTD values agree within few millimeters with ERA5 and terrestrial GNSS and VLBI stations. The derived integrated water vapor corresponds to the frequently launched radiosondes (0.08 ± 0.04 kg m−2, rms of the differences of 1.47 kg m−2).
Michal Kačmařík, Jan Douša, Florian Zus, Pavel Václavovic, Kyriakos Balidakis, Galina Dick, and Jens Wickert
Ann. Geophys., 37, 429–446, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-37-429-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-37-429-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
We provide an analysis of processing setting impacts on tropospheric gradients estimated from GNSS observation processing. These tropospheric gradients are related to water vapour distribution in the troposphere and therefore can be helpful in meteorological applications.
Michal Kačmařík, Jan Douša, Galina Dick, Florian Zus, Hugues Brenot, Gregor Möller, Eric Pottiaux, Jan Kapłon, Paweł Hordyniec, Pavel Václavovic, and Laurent Morel
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10, 2183–2208, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-2183-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-2183-2017, 2017
Georg Beyerle and Florian Zus
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10, 15–34, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-15-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-15-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Ground-based observations of GPS satellites disappearing below the local horizon are analysed. Starting at +2 degree elevation angle the GPS signals are recorded in open-loop tracking mode down to −1.5 degrees. The open-loop Doppler model has negligible influence on the derived data products for strong signal-to-noise ratios; at lower signal levels, however, a notable bias is uncovered. These results may have implications for the design of future space-based GPS radio occultation missions.
Cuixian Lu, Florian Zus, Maorong Ge, Robert Heinkelmann, Galina Dick, Jens Wickert, and Harald Schuh
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 9, 5965–5973, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-5965-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-5965-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
The recent dramatic development of multi-GNSS constellations brings great opportunities and potential for more enhanced precise positioning, navigation, timing, and other applications. In this contribution, we develop a numerical weather model (NWM) constrained PPP processing system to improve the multi-GNSS precise positioning. Compared to the standard PPP solution, significant improvements of both convergence time and positioning accuracy are achieved with the NWM-constrained PPP solution.
Jan Douša, Galina Dick, Michal Kačmařík, Radmila Brožková, Florian Zus, Hugues Brenot, Anastasia Stoycheva, Gregor Möller, and Jan Kaplon
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 9, 2989–3008, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-2989-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-2989-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
GNSS products provide observations of atmospheric water vapour. Advanced tropospheric products focus on ultra-fast and high-resolution zenith total delays (ZTDs), horizontal gradients and slant delays, all suitable for rapid-cycle numerical weather prediction (NWP) and severe weather event monitoring. The GNSS4SWEC Benchmark provides a complex data set for developing and assessing these products, with initial focus on reference ZTDs and gradients derived from several NWP and dense GNSS networks.
F. Zus, G. Beyerle, S. Heise, T. Schmidt, and J. Wickert
Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/amtd-7-12719-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/amtd-7-12719-2014, 2014
Preprint withdrawn
Rohith Thundathil, Florian Zus, Galina Dick, and Jens Wickert
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-19, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-19, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Tropospheric gradients provide information on the moisture distribution, whereas ZTDs provide the absolute amount of moisture through integrated water vapor. When TGs are assimilated with ZTDs, it helps the model actuate the moisture fields, correcting its dynamics. In our research, we show evidence that in particular regions with very few GNSS stations, the assimilation of gradients on top of ZTDs can provide the same impact as the assimilation of only ZTDs with dense coverage of GNSS stations.
Yuanxin Pan, Grzegorz Kłopotek, Laura Crocetti, Rudi Weinacker, Tobias Sturn, Linda See, Galina Dick, Gregor Möller, Markus Rothacher, Ian McCallum, Vicente Navarro, and Benedikt Soja
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 4303–4316, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-4303-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-4303-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Crowdsourced smartphone GNSS data were processed with a dedicated data processing pipeline and could produce millimeter-level accurate estimates of zenith total delay (ZTD) – a critical atmospheric variable. This breakthrough not only demonstrates the feasibility of using ubiquitous devices for high-precision atmospheric monitoring but also underscores the potential for a global, cost-effective tropospheric monitoring network.
Rohith Thundathil, Florian Zus, Galina Dick, and Jens Wickert
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 3599–3616, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-3599-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-3599-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) provides moisture observations through its densely distributed ground station network. In this research, we assimilate a new type of observation called tropospheric gradient observations, which has never been incorporated into a weather model. We develop a forward operator for gradient-based observations and conduct an assimilation impact study. The study shows significant improvements in the model's humidity fields.
Ladina Steiner, Holger Schmithüsen, Jens Wickert, and Olaf Eisen
The Cryosphere, 17, 4903–4916, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-4903-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-4903-2023, 2023
Short summary
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The present study illustrates the potential of a combined Global Navigation Satellite System reflectometry and refractometry (GNSS-RR) method for accurate, simultaneous, and continuous estimation of in situ snow accumulation, snow water equivalent, and snow density time series. The combined GNSS-RR method was successfully applied on a fast-moving, polar ice shelf. The combined GNSS-RR approach could be highly advantageous for a continuous quantification of ice sheet surface mass balances.
Karina Wilgan, Galina Dick, Florian Zus, and Jens Wickert
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 21–39, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-21-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-21-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The assimilation of GNSS data in weather models has a positive impact on the forecasts. The impact is still limited due to using only the GPS zenith direction parameters. We calculate and validate more advanced tropospheric products from three satellite systems: the US American GPS, Russian GLONASS and European Galileo. The quality of all the solutions is comparable; however, combining more GNSS systems enhances the observations' geometry and improves the quality of the weather forecasts.
Benjamin Männel, Florian Zus, Galina Dick, Susanne Glaser, Maximilian Semmling, Kyriakos Balidakis, Jens Wickert, Marion Maturilli, Sandro Dahlke, and Harald Schuh
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 5127–5138, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-5127-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-5127-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Within the MOSAiC expedition, GNSS was used to monitor variations in atmospheric water vapor. Based on 15 months of continuously tracked data, coordinates and hourly zenith total delays (ZTDs) were determined using kinematic precise point positioning. The derived ZTD values agree within few millimeters with ERA5 and terrestrial GNSS and VLBI stations. The derived integrated water vapor corresponds to the frequently launched radiosondes (0.08 ± 0.04 kg m−2, rms of the differences of 1.47 kg m−2).
Chaiyaporn Kitpracha, Robert Heinkelmann, Markus Ramatschi, Kyriakos Balidakis, Benjamin Männel, and Harald Schuh
Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2021-87, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2021-87, 2021
Preprint withdrawn
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we expected to learn what are the potential effects of GNSS atmospheric delays from this unique experiment. The results show that the instrument effects on GNSS zenith delays were mitigated by using the same instrument. The radome causes unexpected bias of GNSS zenith delays in this study. Additionally, multipath effects at low-elevation observations degraded the tropospheric east gradients.
Andrea K. Steiner, Florian Ladstädter, Chi O. Ao, Hans Gleisner, Shu-Peng Ho, Doug Hunt, Torsten Schmidt, Ulrich Foelsche, Gottfried Kirchengast, Ying-Hwa Kuo, Kent B. Lauritsen, Anthony J. Mannucci, Johannes K. Nielsen, William Schreiner, Marc Schwärz, Sergey Sokolovskiy, Stig Syndergaard, and Jens Wickert
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 13, 2547–2575, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-2547-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-2547-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
High-quality observations are critically important for monitoring the Earth’s changing climate. We provide information on the consistency and long-term stability of observations from GPS radio occultation (RO). We assess, for the first time, RO records from multiple RO missions and all major RO data providers. Our results quantify where RO can be used for reliable trend assessment and confirm its climate quality.
Ankur Kepkar, Christina Arras, Jens Wickert, Harald Schuh, Mahdi Alizadeh, and Lung-Chih Tsai
Ann. Geophys., 38, 611–623, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-611-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-38-611-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
The paper focuses on the analyses of the global occurrence of equatorial plasma bubble events using S4 data that were calculated from GPS radio occultation measurements of the FormoSat-3/COSMIC mission. The advantage in using radio occultation data is that we get information not only on the occurrence and intensity of the equatorial bubble events, but also on the altitude distribution. We analyzed a 10.5-year time series of COSMIC data and demonstrated a strong dependence on the solar cycle.
Michal Kačmařík, Jan Douša, Florian Zus, Pavel Václavovic, Kyriakos Balidakis, Galina Dick, and Jens Wickert
Ann. Geophys., 37, 429–446, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-37-429-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-37-429-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
We provide an analysis of processing setting impacts on tropospheric gradients estimated from GNSS observation processing. These tropospheric gradients are related to water vapour distribution in the troposphere and therefore can be helpful in meteorological applications.
Fadwa Alshawaf, Kyriakos Balidakis, Galina Dick, Stefan Heise, and Jens Wickert
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10, 3117–3132, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-3117-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-3117-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper, we aimed at estimating climatic trends using precipitable water vapor time series and surface measurements of air temperature in Germany. We used GNSS, ERA-Interim, and synoptic data. The results show mainly a positive trend in precipitable water vapor and temperature with an increase in the trend when moving to northeastern Germany.
Michal Kačmařík, Jan Douša, Galina Dick, Florian Zus, Hugues Brenot, Gregor Möller, Eric Pottiaux, Jan Kapłon, Paweł Hordyniec, Pavel Václavovic, and Laurent Morel
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10, 2183–2208, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-2183-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-2183-2017, 2017
Georg Beyerle and Florian Zus
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10, 15–34, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-15-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-15-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Ground-based observations of GPS satellites disappearing below the local horizon are analysed. Starting at +2 degree elevation angle the GPS signals are recorded in open-loop tracking mode down to −1.5 degrees. The open-loop Doppler model has negligible influence on the derived data products for strong signal-to-noise ratios; at lower signal levels, however, a notable bias is uncovered. These results may have implications for the design of future space-based GPS radio occultation missions.
Cuixian Lu, Florian Zus, Maorong Ge, Robert Heinkelmann, Galina Dick, Jens Wickert, and Harald Schuh
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 9, 5965–5973, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-5965-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-5965-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
The recent dramatic development of multi-GNSS constellations brings great opportunities and potential for more enhanced precise positioning, navigation, timing, and other applications. In this contribution, we develop a numerical weather model (NWM) constrained PPP processing system to improve the multi-GNSS precise positioning. Compared to the standard PPP solution, significant improvements of both convergence time and positioning accuracy are achieved with the NWM-constrained PPP solution.
Guergana Guerova, Jonathan Jones, Jan Douša, Galina Dick, Siebren de Haan, Eric Pottiaux, Olivier Bock, Rosa Pacione, Gunnar Elgered, Henrik Vedel, and Michael Bender
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 9, 5385–5406, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-5385-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-5385-2016, 2016
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Application of global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs) for atmospheric remote sensing (GNSS meteorology) is a well-established field in both research and operation in Europe. This review covers the state of the art in GNSS meteorology in Europe. It discusses 1) advances in GNSS processing techniques and tropospheric products, 2) use in numerical weather prediction and nowcasting, and 3) climate research.
Jan Douša, Galina Dick, Michal Kačmařík, Radmila Brožková, Florian Zus, Hugues Brenot, Anastasia Stoycheva, Gregor Möller, and Jan Kaplon
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 9, 2989–3008, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-2989-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-2989-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
GNSS products provide observations of atmospheric water vapour. Advanced tropospheric products focus on ultra-fast and high-resolution zenith total delays (ZTDs), horizontal gradients and slant delays, all suitable for rapid-cycle numerical weather prediction (NWP) and severe weather event monitoring. The GNSS4SWEC Benchmark provides a complex data set for developing and assessing these products, with initial focus on reference ZTDs and gradients derived from several NWP and dense GNSS networks.
Fadwa Alshawaf, Galina Dick, Stefan Heise, Tzvetan Simeonov, Sibylle Vey, Torsten Schmidt, and Jens Wickert
Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2016-151, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2016-151, 2016
Revised manuscript not accepted
Short summary
Short summary
In this work, we use time series from GNSS, European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis (ERA-Interim) data, and meteorological measurements to evaluate climate evolution in Central Europe. We monitor different atmospheric variables such as temperature, PWV, precipitation, and snow cover. The results show an increasing trend the water vapor time series that are correlated with the trend the temperature tme series. The average increase of water vapor is about 0.3–0.6 mm/decade .
T. Ning, J. Wang, G. Elgered, G. Dick, J. Wickert, M. Bradke, M. Sommer, R. Querel, and D. Smale
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 9, 79–92, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-79-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-79-2016, 2016
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Integrated water vapour (IWV) obtained from GNSS is to be developed into a GRUAN data product. In addition to the actual measurement, this data product needs to provide an estimate of the measurement uncertainty at the same time resolution as the actual measurement. The method developed in the paper fulfils the requirement by assigning a specific uncertainty to each data point. The method is also valuable for all applications of GNSS IWV data in atmospheric research and weather forecast.
S. Steinke, S. Eikenberg, U. Löhnert, G. Dick, D. Klocke, P. Di Girolamo, and S. Crewell
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 2675–2692, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-2675-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-2675-2015, 2015
M. Shangguan, S. Heise, M. Bender, G. Dick, M. Ramatschi, and J. Wickert
Ann. Geophys., 33, 55–61, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-33-55-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-33-55-2015, 2015
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We present validation results covering 184 days of SIWV (slant-integrated water vapor) observed by a ground-based GPS receiver and a WVR (water vapor radiometer). SIWV data from GPS and WVR generally show good agreement, and the relation between their differences and possible influential factors are analyzed. The differences in SIWV show a relative elevation dependence. Besides the elevation, dependencies between the atmospheric humidity conditions, temperature and differences in SIWV are found.
F. Zus, G. Beyerle, S. Heise, T. Schmidt, and J. Wickert
Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/amtd-7-12719-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/amtd-7-12719-2014, 2014
Preprint withdrawn
M. Shangguan, M. Bender, M. Ramatschi, G. Dick, J. Wickert, A. Raabe, and R. Galas
Ann. Geophys., 31, 1491–1505, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-1491-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-31-1491-2013, 2013
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Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 4455–4467, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-4455-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-4455-2025, 2025
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This paper describes an R package as the machine interface to the open data of Mindat.org, one of the world's most widely used databases of mineral species and their distribution. In the past decades, many geoscientists have been using Mindat data, but an open data service has never been fully established. The machine interface described in this paper will be an efficient way to meet the overwhelming data needs.
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Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 4215–4229, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-4215-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-4215-2025, 2025
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Trish E. Nowak, Andy T. Augousti, Benno I. Simmons, and Stefan Siegert
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 3509–3532, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-3509-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-3509-2025, 2025
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The DustNet model uses deep neural networks to accurately predict Saharan mineral dust transport in the atmosphere. It offers fast and precise forecasts with predictions achieved in just 2.1 s on a standard computer. This innovative approach outperforms traditional models, which take hours to produce a forecast and use high-energy supercomputers. By making high-quality dust monitoring accessible and efficient, DustNet can improve weather, climate, and air quality forecasts.
Angel D. Monsalve, Samuel R. Anderson, Nicole M. Gasparini, and Elowyn M. Yager
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 3427–3451, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-3427-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-3427-2025, 2025
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Rivers shape landscapes by moving sediments and changing their beds, but existing computer models oversimplify these processes by only considering erosion. We developed new software that simulates how rivers transport sediments and change over time through both erosion and deposition. This helps scientists and engineers better predict river behavior for water management, flood prevention, and ecosystem protection.
Robert Jendersie, Christian Lessig, and Thomas Richter
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 3017–3040, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-3017-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-3017-2025, 2025
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Accurate computer simulations are critical to understanding how climate change will affect local communities. An important part of such simulations is sea ice, which affects even distant areas in the long term. In our work, we explore how GPUs (graphics processing units), computer chips originally designed for gaming allow for faster simulation of sea ice with a new software, the neXtSIM-DG dynamical core. We discuss multiple options and demonstrate that using GPUs makes more accurate simulations feasible.
Ezequiel Cimadevilla, Bryan N. Lawrence, and Antonio S. Cofiño
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 2461–2478, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-2461-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-2461-2025, 2025
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The Earth System Grid Federation (ESGF) stores an enormous amount of climate data spread across millions of files in data centres all over the world. Accessing and working with this scientific information is quite complex. This work presents ESGF Virtual Aggregation, an approach that combines data from different sources into a format that is ready for analysis straightaway.
Elena Tomasi, Gabriele Franch, and Marco Cristoforetti
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 2051–2078, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-2051-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-2051-2025, 2025
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High-resolution weather data are crucial for many applications, typically generated via resource-intensive numerical models through dynamical downscaling. We developed an AI model using latent diffusion models (LDMs) to mimic this process, increasing weather data resolution over Italy from 25 to 2 km. LDM outperforms other methods, accurately capturing local patterns and extreme events. This approach offers a cost-effective alternative, with potential disruptive application in climate sciences.
Ryan J. O'Loughlin, Dan Li, Richard Neale, and Travis A. O'Brien
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 787–802, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-787-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-787-2025, 2025
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We draw from traditional climate modeling practices to make recommendations for machine-learning (ML)-driven climate science. Our intended audience is climate modelers who are relatively new to ML. We show how component-level understanding – obtained when scientists can link model behavior to parts within the overall model – should guide the development and evaluation of ML models. Better understanding yields a stronger basis for trust in the models. We highlight several examples to demonstrate.
Nikola Besic, Nicolas Picard, Cédric Vega, Jean-Daniel Bontemps, Lionel Hertzog, Jean-Pierre Renaud, Fajwel Fogel, Martin Schwartz, Agnès Pellissier-Tanon, Gabriel Destouet, Frédéric Mortier, Milena Planells-Rodriguez, and Philippe Ciais
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 337–359, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-337-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-337-2025, 2025
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The creation of advanced mapping models for forest attributes, utilizing remote sensing data and incorporating machine or deep learning methods, has become a key area of interest in the domain of forest observation and monitoring. This paper introduces a method where we blend and collectively interpret five models dedicated to estimating forest canopy height. We achieve this through Bayesian model averaging, offering a comprehensive analysis of these remote-sensing-based products.
Jie Lai, Yuan Zhang, Anzhi Wang, Wenli Fei, Yiwei Diao, Rongping Li, and Jiabin Wu
Geosci. Model Dev. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-2024-169, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-2024-169, 2025
Revised manuscript accepted for GMD
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In this study, a new model called FLAML-LUE was created by combining the FLAML model with LUE-based models, the latter provides the key variables of vegetation growth for modeling. These models utilize the Fast Lightweight Automated Machine Learning (FLAML) framework, using variables of LUE models, to investigate the potential of estimating site-scale GPP.
Marion N. Parquer, Eric A. de Kemp, Boyan Brodaric, and Michael J. Hillier
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 71–100, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-71-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-71-2025, 2025
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This is a proof-of-concept paper outlining a general approach to how 3D geological models would be checked to be geologically
reasonable. We do this with a consistency-checking tool that looks at geological feature pairs and their spatial, temporal, and internal polarity characteristics. The idea is to assess if geological relationships from a specific 3D geological model match what is allowed in the real world from the perspective of geological principles.
Oriol Tintó Prims, Robert Redl, Marc Rautenhaus, Tobias Selz, Takumi Matsunobu, Kameswar Rao Modali, and George Craig
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 8909–8925, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-8909-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-8909-2024, 2024
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Advanced compression techniques can drastically reduce the size of meteorological datasets (by 5 to 150 times) without compromising the data's scientific value. We developed a user-friendly tool called
enstools-compressionthat makes this compression simple for Earth scientists. This tool works seamlessly with common weather and climate data formats. Our work shows that lossy compression can significantly improve how researchers store and analyze large meteorological datasets.
Ziyu Yin, Jiale Ding, Yi Liu, Ruoxu Wang, Yige Wang, Yijun Chen, Jin Qi, Sensen Wu, and Zhenhong Du
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 8455–8468, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-8455-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-8455-2024, 2024
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In geography, understanding how relationships between different factors change over time and space is crucial. This study implements two neural-network-based spatiotemporal regression models and an open-source Python package named Geographically Neural Network Weighted Regression to capture relationships between factors. This makes it a valuable tool for researchers in fields such as environmental science, urban planning, and public health.
Peng Sun, Kefei Zhang, Dantong Zhu, Dongsheng Zhao, Shuangshuang Shi, Xuexi Liu, Minghao Zhang, and Suqin Wu
Geosci. Model Dev. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-2024-123, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-2024-123, 2024
Revised manuscript accepted for GMD
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GNSS signal is delayed when it transmits through the neutral gas. In this contribution, a new model was developed for reducing the VMF1/VMF3 grid-wise ground-surface ZHD and ZWD values to the target height to improve the ZHD and ZWD interpolation performance. Test results showed that the accuracy of the ZHD, ZWD interpolated from the VMF1/VMF3 products deduced by the new model was significantly improved compared to traditional methods.
Na Ren, Daojun Zhang, and Qiuming Cheng
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2461, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2461, 2024
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While Focal Statistics and Zonal Statistics deal with Spatial Position Dependence (SPD) and Spatial Stratified Heterogeneity (SSH) separately, the developed Focal-Zonal Mixed Statistics can handle both simultaneously. This new tool has the potential to become a general statistics tool. The integrated FZStats v1.0 toolbox in this study includes all three models mentioned above, providing new methodological support for understanding and addressing spatial statistical issues.
Carles Milà, Marvin Ludwig, Edzer Pebesma, Cathryn Tonne, and Hanna Meyer
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 6007–6033, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-6007-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-6007-2024, 2024
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Spatial proxies, such as coordinates and distances, are often used as predictors in random forest models for predictive mapping. In a simulation and two case studies, we investigated the conditions under which their use is appropriate. We found that spatial proxies are not always beneficial and should not be used as a default approach without careful consideration. We also provide insights into the reasons behind their suitability, how to detect them, and potential alternatives.
Chunhua Jiang, Xiang Gao, Huizhong Zhu, Shuaimin Wang, Sixuan Liu, Shaoni Chen, and Guangsheng Liu
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 5939–5959, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-5939-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-5939-2024, 2024
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With ERA5 hourly data, we show spatiotemporal characteristics of pressure and zenith wet delay (ZWD) and propose an empirical global pressure and ZWD grid model with a broader operating space which can provide accurate pressure, ZWD, zenith hydrostatic delay, and zenith tropospheric delay estimates for any selected time and location over globe. IGPZWD will be of great significance for the tropospheric augmentation in real-time GNSS positioning and atmospheric water vapor remote sensing.
Jan Linnenbrink, Carles Milà, Marvin Ludwig, and Hanna Meyer
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 5897–5912, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-5897-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-5897-2024, 2024
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Estimation of map accuracy based on cross-validation (CV) in spatial modelling is pervasive but controversial. Here, we build upon our previous work and propose a novel, prediction-oriented k-fold CV strategy for map accuracy estimation in which the distribution of geographical distances between prediction and training points is taken into account when constructing the CV folds. Our method produces more reliable estimates than other CV methods and can be used for large datasets.
Lars Hoffmann, Kaveh Haghighi Mood, Andreas Herten, Markus Hrywniak, Jiri Kraus, Jan Clemens, and Mingzhao Liu
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 4077–4094, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-4077-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-4077-2024, 2024
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Lagrangian particle dispersion models are key for studying atmospheric transport but can be computationally intensive. To speed up simulations, the MPTRAC model was ported to graphics processing units (GPUs). Performance optimization of data structures and memory alignment resulted in runtime improvements of up to 75 % on NVIDIA A100 GPUs for ERA5-based simulations with 100 million particles. These optimizations make the MPTRAC model well suited for future high-performance computing systems.
Mohamad Hakam Shams Eddin and Juergen Gall
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 2987–3023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-2987-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-2987-2024, 2024
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In this study, we use deep learning and a climate simulation to predict the vegetation health as it would be observed from satellites. We found that the developed model can help to identify regions with a high risk of agricultural drought. The main applications of this study are to estimate vegetation products for periods where no satellite data are available and to forecast the future vegetation response to climate change based on climate scenarios.
Vitaliy Ogarko, Kim Frankcombe, Taige Liu, Jeremie Giraud, Roland Martin, and Mark Jessell
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 2325–2345, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-2325-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-2325-2024, 2024
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We present a major release of the Tomofast-x open-source gravity and magnetic inversion code that is enhancing its performance and applicability for both industrial and academic studies. We focus on real-world mineral exploration scenarios, while offering flexibility for applications at regional scale or for crustal studies. The optimisation work described in this paper is fundamental to allowing more complete descriptions of the controls on magnetisation, including remanence.
Jonathan Hobbs, Matthias Katzfuss, Hai Nguyen, Vineet Yadav, and Junjie Liu
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 1133–1151, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-1133-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-1133-2024, 2024
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The cycling of carbon among the land, oceans, and atmosphere is a closely monitored process in the global climate system. These exchanges between the atmosphere and the surface can be quantified using a combination of atmospheric carbon dioxide observations and computer models. This study presents a statistical method for investigating the similarities and differences in the estimated surface–atmosphere carbon exchange when different computer model assumptions are invoked.
Jiateng Guo, Zhibin Liu, Xulei Wang, Lixin Wu, Shanjun Liu, and Yunqiang Li
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 847–864, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-847-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-847-2024, 2024
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This study proposes a 3D and temporally dynamic (4D) geological modeling method. Several simulation and actual cases show that the 4D spatial and temporal evolution of regional geological formations can be modeled easily using this method with smooth boundaries. The 4D modeling system can dynamically present the regional geological evolution process under the timeline, which will be helpful to the research and teaching on the formation of typical and complex geological features.
Catherine O. de Burgh-Day and Tennessee Leeuwenburg
Geosci. Model Dev., 16, 6433–6477, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-6433-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-6433-2023, 2023
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Machine learning (ML) is an increasingly popular tool in the field of weather and climate modelling. While ML has been used in this space for a long time, it is only recently that ML approaches have become competitive with more traditional methods. In this review, we have summarized the use of ML in weather and climate modelling over time; provided an overview of key ML concepts, methodologies, and terms; and suggested promising avenues for further research.
Danica L. Lombardozzi, William R. Wieder, Negin Sobhani, Gordon B. Bonan, David Durden, Dawn Lenz, Michael SanClements, Samantha Weintraub-Leff, Edward Ayres, Christopher R. Florian, Kyla Dahlin, Sanjiv Kumar, Abigail L. S. Swann, Claire M. Zarakas, Charles Vardeman, and Valerio Pascucci
Geosci. Model Dev., 16, 5979–6000, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-5979-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-5979-2023, 2023
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We present a novel cyberinfrastructure system that uses National Ecological Observatory Network measurements to run Community Terrestrial System Model point simulations in a containerized system. The simple interface and tutorials expand access to data and models used in Earth system research by removing technical barriers and facilitating research, educational opportunities, and community engagement. The NCAR–NEON system enables convergence of climate and ecological sciences.
Foeke Boersma and Meng Lu
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1260, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1260, 2023
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Air pollution harms health and society. Understanding and predicting it is crucial. Various models are developed to model air pollution. However, the consistency exhibited by a model in different areas is commonly neglected. Our study accounts for this and shows lower accuracy near busy roads, but higher in less populated areas. Considering location characteristics in air pollution predictions is important in comparing statistical models and understanding the health-society-space relationship.
Qianqian Han, Yijian Zeng, Lijie Zhang, Calimanut-Ionut Cira, Egor Prikaziuk, Ting Duan, Chao Wang, Brigitta Szabó, Salvatore Manfreda, Ruodan Zhuang, and Bob Su
Geosci. Model Dev., 16, 5825–5845, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-5825-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-5825-2023, 2023
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Using machine learning, we estimated global surface soil moisture (SSM) to aid in understanding water, energy, and carbon exchange. Ensemble models outperformed individual algorithms in predicting SSM under different climates. The best-performing ensemble included K-neighbours Regressor, Random Forest Regressor, and Extreme Gradient Boosting. This is important for hydrological and climatological applications such as water cycle monitoring, irrigation management, and crop yield prediction.
Xiaoyi Shao, Siyuan Ma, and Chong Xu
Geosci. Model Dev., 16, 5113–5129, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-5113-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-5113-2023, 2023
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Scientific understandings of the distribution of coseismic landslides, followed by emergency and medium- and long-term risk assessment, can reduce landslide risk. The aim of this study is to propose an improved three-stage spatial prediction strategy and develop corresponding hazard assessment software called Mat.LShazard V1.0, which provides a new application tool for coseismic landslide disaster prevention and mitigation in different stages.
Junda Zhan, Sensen Wu, Jin Qi, Jindi Zeng, Mengjiao Qin, Yuanyuan Wang, and Zhenhong Du
Geosci. Model Dev., 16, 2777–2794, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-2777-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-2777-2023, 2023
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We develop a generalized spatial autoregressive neural network model used for three-dimensional spatial interpolation. Taking the different changing trend of geographic elements along various directions into consideration, the model defines spatial distance in a generalized way and integrates it into the process of spatial interpolation with the theories of spatial autoregression and neural network. Compared with traditional methods, the model achieves better performance and is more adaptable.
Dominikus Heinzeller, Ligia Bernardet, Grant Firl, Man Zhang, Xia Sun, and Michael Ek
Geosci. Model Dev., 16, 2235–2259, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-2235-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-2235-2023, 2023
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The Common Community Physics Package is a collection of physical atmospheric parameterizations for use in Earth system models and a framework that couples the physics to a host model’s dynamical core. A primary goal for this effort is to facilitate research and development of physical parameterizations and physics–dynamics coupling methods while offering capabilities for numerical weather prediction operations, for example in the upcoming implementation of the Global Forecast System (GFS) v17.
Tobias Tesch, Stefan Kollet, and Jochen Garcke
Geosci. Model Dev., 16, 2149–2166, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-2149-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-2149-2023, 2023
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A recent statistical approach for studying relations in the Earth system is to train deep learning (DL) models to predict Earth system variables given one or several others and use interpretable DL to analyze the relations learned by the models. Here, we propose to combine the approach with a theorem from causality research to ensure that the deep learning model learns causal rather than spurious relations. As an example, we apply the method to study soil-moisture–precipitation coupling.
Yao Hu, Chirantan Ghosh, and Siamak Malakpour-Estalaki
Geosci. Model Dev., 16, 1925–1936, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-1925-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-1925-2023, 2023
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Data-driven models (DDMs) gain popularity in earth and environmental systems, thanks in large part to advancements in data collection techniques and artificial intelligence (AI). The performance of these models is determined by the underlying machine learning (ML) algorithms. In this study, we develop a framework to improve the model performance by optimizing ML algorithms and demonstrate the effectiveness of the framework using a DDM to predict edge-of-field runoff in the Maumee domain, USA.
Ruidong Li, Ting Sun, Fuqiang Tian, and Guang-Heng Ni
Geosci. Model Dev., 16, 751–778, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-751-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-751-2023, 2023
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We developed SHAFTS (Simultaneous building Height And FootprinT extraction from Sentinel imagery), a multi-task deep-learning-based Python package, to estimate average building height and footprint from Sentinel imagery. Evaluation in 46 cities worldwide shows that SHAFTS achieves significant improvement over existing machine-learning-based methods.
Feng Yin, Philip E. Lewis, and Jose L. Gómez-Dans
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 7933–7976, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-7933-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-7933-2022, 2022
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The proposed SIAC atmospheric correction method provides consistent surface reflectance estimations from medium spatial-resolution satellites (Sentinel 2 and Landsat 8) with per-pixel uncertainty information. The outputs from SIAC have been validated against a wide range of ground measurements, and it shows that SIAC can provide accurate estimations of both surface reflectance and atmospheric parameters, with meaningful uncertainty information.
Martina Stockhause and Michael Lautenschlager
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 6047–6058, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-6047-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-6047-2022, 2022
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The Data Distribution Centre (DDC) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2022. DDC Partner DKRZ has supported the IPCC Assessments and preserved the quality-assured, citable climate model data underpinning the Assessment Reports over these years over the long term. With the introduction of the IPCC FAIR Guidelines into the current AR6, the value of DDC services has been recognized. However, DDC sustainability remains unresolved.
Daiane Iglesia Dolci, Felipe A. G. Silva, Pedro S. Peixoto, and Ernani V. Volpe
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 5857–5881, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-5857-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-5857-2022, 2022
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We investigate and compare the theoretical and computational characteristics of several absorbing boundary conditions (ABCs) for the full-waveform inversion (FWI) problem. The different ABCs are implemented in an optimized computational framework called Devito. The computational efficiency and memory requirements of the ABC methods are evaluated in the forward and adjoint wave propagators, from simple to realistic velocity models.
Mauro Rossi, Txomin Bornaetxea, and Paola Reichenbach
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 5651–5666, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-5651-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-5651-2022, 2022
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LAND-SUITE is a software package designed to support landslide susceptibility zonation. The software integrates, extends, and completes LAND-SE (Rossi et al., 2010; Rossi and Reichenbach, 2016). The software is implemented in R, a free software environment for statistical computing and graphics, and gives expert users the possibility to perform easier, more flexible, and more informed statistically based landslide susceptibility applications and zonations.
Ashesh Chattopadhyay, Mustafa Mustafa, Pedram Hassanzadeh, Eviatar Bach, and Karthik Kashinath
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 2221–2237, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-2221-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-2221-2022, 2022
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There is growing interest in data-driven weather forecasting, i.e., to predict the weather by using a deep neural network that learns from the evolution of past atmospheric patterns. Here, we propose three components to add to the current data-driven weather forecast models to improve their performance. These components involve a feature that incorporates physics into the neural network, a method to add data assimilation, and an algorithm to use several different time intervals in the forecast.
Paul F. Baumeister and Lars Hoffmann
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 1855–1874, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-1855-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-1855-2022, 2022
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The efficiency of the numerical simulation of radiative transport is shown on modern server-class graphics cards (GPUs). The low-cost prefactor on GPUs compared to general-purpose processors (CPUs) enables future large retrieval campaigns for multi-channel data from infrared sounders aboard low-orbit satellites. The validated research software JURASSIC is available in the public domain.
Gregory E. Tucker, Eric W. H. Hutton, Mark D. Piper, Benjamin Campforts, Tian Gan, Katherine R. Barnhart, Albert J. Kettner, Irina Overeem, Scott D. Peckham, Lynn McCready, and Jaia Syvitski
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 1413–1439, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-1413-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-1413-2022, 2022
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Scientists use computer simulation models to understand how Earth surface processes work, including floods, landslides, soil erosion, river channel migration, ocean sedimentation, and coastal change. Research benefits when the software for simulation modeling is open, shared, and coordinated. The Community Surface Dynamics Modeling System (CSDMS) is a US-based facility that supports research by providing community support, computing tools and guidelines, and educational resources.
Danilo César de Mello, Gustavo Vieira Veloso, Marcos Guedes de Lana, Fellipe Alcantara de Oliveira Mello, Raul Roberto Poppiel, Diego Ribeiro Oquendo Cabrero, Luis Augusto Di Loreto Di Raimo, Carlos Ernesto Gonçalves Reynaud Schaefer, Elpídio Inácio Fernandes Filho, Emilson Pereira Leite, and José Alexandre Melo Demattê
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 1219–1246, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-1219-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-1219-2022, 2022
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We used soil parent material, terrain attributes, and geophysical data from the soil surface to test and compare different and unprecedented geophysical sensor combination, as well as different machine learning algorithms to model and predict several soil attributes. Also, we analyzed the importance of pedoenvironmental variables. The soil attributes were modeled throughout different machine learning algorithms and related to different geophysical sensor combinations.
Duncan Watson-Parris, Andrew Williams, Lucia Deaconu, and Philip Stier
Geosci. Model Dev., 14, 7659–7672, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-7659-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-7659-2021, 2021
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The Earth System Emulator (ESEm) provides a fast and flexible framework for emulating a wide variety of Earth science datasets and tools for constraining (or tuning) models of any complexity. Three distinct use cases are presented that demonstrate the utility of ESEm and provide some insight into the use of machine learning for emulation in these different settings. The open-source Python package is freely available so that it might become a valuable tool for the community.
Chongyang Wang, Li Wang, Danni Wang, Dan Li, Chenghu Zhou, Hao Jiang, Qiong Zheng, Shuisen Chen, Kai Jia, Yangxiaoyue Liu, Ji Yang, Xia Zhou, and Yong Li
Geosci. Model Dev., 14, 6833–6846, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-6833-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-6833-2021, 2021
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The turbidity maximum zone (TMZ) is a special phenomenon in estuaries worldwide. However, the extraction methods and criteria used to describe the TMZ vary significantly both spatially and temporally. This study proposes an new index, the turbidity maximum zone index, based on the corresponding relationship of total suspended solid concentration and Chl a concentration, which could better extract TMZs in different estuaries and on different dates.
Ranee Joshi, Kavitha Madaiah, Mark Jessell, Mark Lindsay, and Guillaume Pirot
Geosci. Model Dev., 14, 6711–6740, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-6711-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-6711-2021, 2021
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We have developed a software that allows the user to extract and standardize drill hole information from legacy datasets and/or different drilling campaigns. It also provides functionality to upscale the lithological information. These functionalities were possible by developing thesauri to identify and group geological terminologies together.
David Meyer, Thomas Nagler, and Robin J. Hogan
Geosci. Model Dev., 14, 5205–5215, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-5205-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-5205-2021, 2021
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A major limitation in training machine-learning emulators is often caused by the lack of data. This paper presents a cheap way to increase the size of training datasets using statistical techniques and thereby improve the performance of machine-learning emulators.
Mark Jessell, Vitaliy Ogarko, Yohan de Rose, Mark Lindsay, Ranee Joshi, Agnieszka Piechocka, Lachlan Grose, Miguel de la Varga, Laurent Ailleres, and Guillaume Pirot
Geosci. Model Dev., 14, 5063–5092, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-5063-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-5063-2021, 2021
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We have developed software that allows the user to extract sufficient information from unmodified digital maps and associated datasets that we are able to use to automatically build 3D geological models. By automating the process we are able to remove human bias from the procedure, which makes the workflow reproducible.
Martí Bosch, Maxence Locatelli, Perrine Hamel, Roy P. Remme, Jérôme Chenal, and Stéphane Joost
Geosci. Model Dev., 14, 3521–3537, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-3521-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-3521-2021, 2021
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The article presents a novel approach to simulate urban heat mitigation from land use/land cover data based on three biophysical mechanisms: tree shade, evapotranspiration and albedo. An automated procedure is proposed to calibrate the model parameters to best fit temperature observations from monitoring stations. A case study in Lausanne, Switzerland, shows that the approach outperforms regressions based on satellite data and provides valuable insights into design heat mitigation policies.
Quang-Van Doan, Hiroyuki Kusaka, Takuto Sato, and Fei Chen
Geosci. Model Dev., 14, 2097–2111, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-2097-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-2097-2021, 2021
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This study proposes a novel structural self-organizing map (S-SOM) algorithm. The superiority of S-SOM is that it can better recognize the difference (or similarity) among spatial (or temporal) data used for training and thus improve the clustering quality compared to traditional SOM algorithms.
Batunacun, Ralf Wieland, Tobia Lakes, and Claas Nendel
Geosci. Model Dev., 14, 1493–1510, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-1493-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-1493-2021, 2021
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Extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) can provide alternative insights that conventional land-use models are unable to generate. Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) can interpret the results of the purely data-driven approach. XGBoost achieved similar and robust simulation results. SHAP values were useful for analysing the complex relationship between the different drivers of grassland degradation.
Juan A. Añel, Michael García-Rodríguez, and Javier Rodeiro
Geosci. Model Dev., 14, 923–934, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-923-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-923-2021, 2021
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This work shows that it continues to be hard, if not impossible, to obtain some of the most used climate models worldwide. We reach this conclusion through a systematic study and encourage all development teams and research centres to make public the models they use to produce scientific results.
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Short summary
Atmospheric signal propagation effects are one of the largest error sources in the analysis of space geodetic techniques. Inaccuracies in the modelling map into errors in positioning, navigation and timing. We describe the open-source ray-tracing tool DNS and show the two outstanding features of this tool compared to previous model developments: it can handle both the troposphere and the ionosphere, and it does so efficiently. This makes the tool perfectly suited for geoscientific applications.
Atmospheric signal propagation effects are one of the largest error sources in the analysis of...
