# Cryosphere Community Datapool & ccdtools: Release Information **URL:** \ **Category:** ACCESS-NRI Releases\ **Tags:** python, release, data, cryosphere, ccdtools, cryosphere-datapool\ **Created:** [16 September 2026 07:32 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/cryosphere-community-datapool-ccdtools-release-information/6998 "2026-09-16T07:32:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mtetley](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.access-hive.org.au/mtetley/32/495_2.png) [@mtetley](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/u/mtetley)\ **Post date:** [16 September 2026 07:32 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/cryosphere-community-datapool-ccdtools-release-information/6998/1 "2026-09-16T07:32:38Z")
# What is this? A topic that will be used to announce release information and updates for the `Cryosphere Community Datapool` and its companion Python API `ccdtools`. # What are the `Cryosphere Community Datapool` and `ccdtools`? The [Cryosphere Community Datapool](https://docs.access-hive.org.au/model_evaluation/data/cryosphere_datapool/) (CCD) is a joint data sharing and discovery project between [ACCESS-NRI](https://www.access-nri.org.au/) and the [Cryospheric Sciences Working Group](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/c/cryosphere/working-group/45) (CSWG). The `CCD` has been designed as an open-access and freely available cryospheric data resource for the Australian scientific community, maintaining a variety of datasets commonly used to parameterise ice sheet models. The `CCD` is hosted on the National Computational Infrastructure (NCI) Gadi supercomputer within project `av17`. `ccdtools` is the Python interface developed by [ACCESS-NRI](https://www.access-nri.org.au/) that provides seamless access to the data located within the `CCD`. The `ccdtools` library offers an intuitive interface for discovering, accessing, and analysing diverse data sources including satellite observations, in-situ measurements, and model outputs. The library features a powerful dataset catalog system, enabling users to efficiently retrieve and work with data commonly used for ice sheet modelling, climate analysis, and cryospheric studies. > **[Cryosphere Community Datapool - ACCESS-Hive Docs](https://docs.access-hive.org.au/model_evaluation/data/cryosphere_datapool/)** > **[GitHub - ACCESS-NRI/ccdtools: ccdtools is the companion Python package to...](https://github.com/ACCESS-NRI/ccdtools)** > > ccdtools is the companion Python package to interface and interact with the ACCESS Cryosphere Community Datapool (CCD) # How is this topic used? This topic will be the place where release information and updates to both `Cryosphere Community Datapool` and `ccdtools` will be announced, with details of what those updates entail. # What should I do to be notified of any updates? You can [watch this topic](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/access-issm-release-information/6993), and be notified by email of _every_ update. # Where do I ask questions about releases? Replies to this topic are disabled. If you have specific questions about this release [follow the guidelines for requesting help from ACCESS-NRI](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/access-help-and-support/908). If you have questions about the #cryosphere-datapool or #ccdtools please create a topic in the relevant channel within #Cryosphere > Cryosphere Community DataPool (CCD) community space. If you require assistance [follow the guidelines for requesting help from ACCESS-NRI](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/access-help-and-support/908). ---
**Author:** ![mtetley](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.access-hive.org.au/mtetley/32/495_2.png) [@mtetley](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/u/mtetley)\ **Post date:** [16 September 2026 07:32 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/cryosphere-community-datapool-ccdtools-release-information/6998/2 "2026-09-16T07:32:43Z")
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**Author:** ![mtetley](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.access-hive.org.au/mtetley/32/495_2.png) [@mtetley](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/u/mtetley)\ **Post date:** [16 September 2026 22:30 UTC](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/cryosphere-community-datapool-ccdtools-release-information/6998/3 "2026-09-16T22:30:41Z")
# Cryosphere Community Datapool and ccdtools release πŸš€ **Release** : `ccdtools` v0.2.1 **What can you expect to be able to do with this?** A user should be able to - install `ccdtools` into their own Python environment from PyPI, conda or GitHub. - discover, search and load datasets from the [Cryosphere Community Datapool (CCD)](https://docs.access-hive.org.au/model_evaluation/data/cryosphere_datapool/) on NCI _Gadi_ directly from a Python workflow, script or notebook, returning Pandas DataFrames, GeoPandas GeoDataFrames or Xarray Datasets as appropriate. ## About the Cryosphere Community Datapool (CCD) The Cryosphere Community Datapool (CCD) is a joint data sharing and discovery project between ACCESS-NRI and the [Cryospheric Sciences Working Group (CSWG)](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/c/cryosphere/34). The CCD has been designed as an open-access and freely available cryospheric data resource for the Australian scientific community, and houses a variety of datasets commonly used to parameterise ice sheet models. The CCD is hosted on the NCI _Gadi_ supercomputer within project `av17`. Datasets are currently grouped into the following categories: - **Elevation and geometry** β€” digital elevation models and key geometry attributes, including bed topography/bathymetry, ice surface elevation, ice thickness, and ice/ocean masks. - **Ice velocity** β€” ice velocity parameters, including surface ice velocities and associated error estimates. - **Geospatial** β€” geospatial information commonly used to discretise ice sheet models, including ice sheet basin boundaries and grounding line locations. - **Basal forcing** β€” basal forcing fields, such as geothermal heat flux and ice shelf basal melt datasets. - **Surface forcing** β€” surface forcing fields, such as temperature and surface mass balance. - **ISMIP6 simulation** β€” results from ISMIP6 model simulations of Antarctica and Greenland. - **ISMIP6 forcing** β€” forcing parameters, such as surface mass balance, surface temperature, surface wind speeds and geothermal heat flux. `ccdtools` is the open-source Python interface to the CCD, developed by ACCESS-NRI. A full list and description of the available datasets, including their _Gadi_ paths and original sources, is maintained on the [ACCESS-Hive Docs CCD page](https://docs.access-hive.org.au/model_evaluation/data/cryosphere_datapool/). ### πŸ“’ **THIS IS A BETA RELEASE** πŸ“’ This is a beta release while building the data repository, rolling out features and getting feedback from the community. More information on release stages are available on the Hive Docs: [Release stages - ACCESS-Hive Docs](https://docs.access-hive.org.au/about/releases/#release-stages-for-model-configurations) ## Feedback We welcome feedback from all interested users. This is a chance to improve this proposed new release. Please provide feedback through relevant channels within #Cryosphere > Cryosphere Community DataPool (CCD) community space on this forum. ACCESS-NRI is interested in all feedback, positive or negative, but in particular we would like to know: - Are the instructions clear and easy to follow? Is there anything unclear, missing or incorrect? - Are there datasets you use regularly that are missing from the CCD? ## Prerequisites The CCD data is hosted on NCI _Gadi_. To use it you need to: - [Set up your NCI account](https://docs.access-hive.org.au/getting_started/set_up_nci_account) - Join the [`av17`](https://my.nci.org.au/mancini/project/av17/join) and [`cm45`](https://my.nci.org.au/mancini/project/cm45/join) NCI projects ## How to use Install from PyPI: ```auto pip install access-ccdtools ``` or with conda, from the `accessnri` channel: ```auto conda install accessnri::access_ccdtools ``` Then, from Python for an example dataset: ```python # 1. Initialize the catalog catalog = DataCatalog() # 2. Browse and search for datasets results = catalog.search('ice velocity') catalog # View interactive catalog # 3. Load data data = catalog.load_dataset('dataset_name', version='v1', subdataset='sub1') ``` - [ccdtools documentation](https://ccdtools.readthedocs.io/latest/) β€” [overview](https://ccdtools.readthedocs.io/latest/overview.html), [installation](https://ccdtools.readthedocs.io/latest/installation.html), [tutorials](https://ccdtools.readthedocs.io/latest/tutorials.html) and [API reference](https://ccdtools.readthedocs.io/latest/ccdtools.html) - [Cryosphere Community Datapool - ACCESS-Hive Docs](https://docs.access-hive.org.au/model_evaluation/data/cryosphere_datapool/) β€” full dataset list, _Gadi_ paths and sources ## Features βœ… **Unified dataset catalog** : a centralised catalog of cryosphere-focused datasets maintained in a flexible YAML configuration. βœ… **Dataset discovery and search** : keyword search across dataset names, display names and descriptive tags (e.g. β€œantarctica”, β€œice velocity”, β€œice thickness”), plus an interactive catalog view. βœ… **Version and subdataset management** : support for datasets with multiple versions and hierarchical subdatasets, enabling access to specific data variants and historical version comparisons. βœ… **Flexible data loaders** : CSV, GeoPackage, Shapefile, GeoTIFF and NetCDF handled transparently, returning Pandas DataFrames, GeoPandas GeoDataFrames or Xarray Datasets. βœ… **Resolution and parameter filtering** : for datasets with multiple resolutions or static/annual variants, the correct data subset is filtered and loaded automatically. βœ… Available from [PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/access-ccdtools/) and [conda](https://anaconda.org/channels/accessnri/packages/access_ccdtools/overview), with [documentation](https://ccdtools.readthedocs.io/latest/) and tutorials. ### Common use cases - **Model initialisation** β€” quickly access ice sheet model input datasets (topography, velocities, boundaries). - **Scientific analysis** β€” discover and load multi-source cryosphere datasets for comparative studies. - **Data discovery** β€” explore available datasets and their properties through keyword search. - **Version control** β€” access specific dataset versions for reproducibility and validation studies. ## Limitations πŸ›‘ The CCD data is hosted on NCI _Gadi_ and is only accessible from _Gadi_ (including ARE). `ccdtools` does not download or mirror data locally. πŸ›‘ Membership of the `av17` and `cm45` NCI projects is required. πŸ›‘ `ccdtools` is under active development. The API may change between releases. ## Future developments 🚧 Continued expansion of the CCD dataset catalog in response to community requests. 🚧 Further development of the `ccdtools` API, loaders and tutorials. 🚧 Contributions from the community to expand both dataset offerings and enhance functionality. To request a new dataset be added to the CCD, or an update to a currently supported dataset, please [create an issue](https://github.com/ACCESS-NRI/ccdtools/issues) in the ccdtools GitHub repository using the **New Dataset Request** template. For broader discussions around cryospheric data, please start a thread in the [Cryosphere Community Datapool category](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/c/cryosphere/data) of the ACCESS-Hive Forum. ## Credits (Latest developments only) ⭐ Development of `ccdtools` (@lawrenceabird @mtetley @justinh2002) ⭐ Curation and deployment of the Cryosphere Community Datapool (@lawrenceabird @mtetley) ⭐ Documentation (@lawrenceabird @mtetley) ⭐ Dataset suggestions and testing from the [Cryospheric Sciences Working Group](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/c/cryosphere/34) ## Support Replies to this topic are disabled. If you have specific questions about **this release** please add a topic on this forum and tag with #help ([more information about support](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/t/access-help-and-support/908) for ACCESS-NRI’s released software). ## Resources - [ccdtools GitHub repository](https://github.com/ACCESS-NRI/ccdtools) - [ccdtools documentation](https://ccdtools.readthedocs.io/latest/) - [Cryosphere Community Datapool - ACCESS-Hive Docs](https://docs.access-hive.org.au/model_evaluation/data/cryosphere_datapool/) - [access-ccdtools on PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/access-ccdtools/) and [access\_ccdtools on conda](https://anaconda.org/channels/accessnri/packages/access_ccdtools/overview) - [Cryospheric Sciences Working Group - ACCESS-Hive Forum](https://forum.access-hive.org.au/c/cryosphere/34) - [Contributing to ccdtools](https://ccdtools.readthedocs.io/latest/contributing.html) - [ISMIP6 datasets in the NCI Data Catalogue](https://geonetwork.nci.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/f8457_7185_0011_6384)