CMIP Glossary

Atmosphere Ocean General Circulation Model

Coupled climate model simulating interactions between atmospheric and oceanic circulation systems.

Community Earth System Model Version 2

NCAR-developed coupled Earth system model used extensively in CMIP6 experiments.

Coupled Model Intercomparison Project

Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6

Sixth generation CMIP framework defining standardized experiments, metadata conventions, forcing datasets, and ESGF publication workflows.

Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 7

Next-generation CMIP framework emphasizing interoperability, reproducibility, provenance, FAIR workflows, and expanded Earth system complexity.

Climate Model Output Rewriter

Software library converting native model outputs into CMIP-compliant NetCDF datasets using controlled metadata conventions.

Climate Model Output Rewriter Version 3

CMOR implementation supporting CMIP6 metadata structures, controlled vocabularies, and ESGF publication requirements.

Controlled Vocabulary

Standardized metadata terms ensuring consistency and interoperability across CMIP datasets and ESGF infrastructure.

Detection and Attribution Model Intercomparison Project

MIP investigating causes of observed climate change using coordinated forcing experiments.

CMIP Data Request

Database specifying requested CMIP variables, frequencies, priorities, realms, experiments, and MIP requirements.

Data Reference Syntax

Standardized CMIP directory and filename syntax defining dataset hierarchy, metadata organization, and ESGF interoperability.

Earth System Grid Federation

Distributed global infrastructure supporting publication, replication, indexing, discovery, and access of CMIP and Earth system datasets.

Earth System Model

Coupled numerical model representing atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere, biosphere, chemistry, aerosols, and carbon cycle processes.

Grid Label

Controlled metadata identifier describing horizontal and vertical grid structure of model outputs.

High Resolution Model Intercomparison Project

CMIP-endorsed MIP investigating the impact of increasing spatial resolution on climate simulations.

Input Datasets for Model Intercomparison Projects

Standardized forcing datasets used as common inputs to CMIP simulations including aerosols, greenhouse gases, and land-use forcing.

Land Use Model Intercomparison Project

CMIP-endorsed project investigating impacts of land-use and land-cover change on climate.

Max Planck Institute Earth System Model

Family of coupled Earth system models developed by MPI-M Hamburg.

Observations for Model Intercomparison Projects

Observation datasets formatted using CMIP conventions for climate model evaluation and benchmarking.

Source Identifier

Controlled vocabulary field uniquely identifying a climate model configuration participating in CMIP.

UK Earth System Model Version 1

Earth system model developed by the UK Met Office Hadley Centre including atmospheric chemistry and dynamic vegetation.

Variant Label

Ensemble member notation such as r1i1p1f1 representing realization, initialization, physics, and forcing indices.

World Climate Research Programme