Virtual Alpine Observatory (VAO): Alpine Environmental Data Analysis Centre

Umweltforschungsstation Schneefernerhaus: South-east view.

The Virtual Alpine Observatory links the Research Activities of the European Alpine High Altitude Research Observatories for an Enhanced Climate and Environmental Monitoring.

Climate change impacts the system Earth. Especially, the Alpine region is known to be very sensitive. Alpine high altitude research stations contribute significantly to monitoring, understanding and forecasting of processes in the Earth system. Their exposed location creates almost ideal conditions for the investigation of many physical and chemical processes in the atmosphere, geosphere, cryo - and hydrosphere and the biosphere. The Virtual Alpine Observatory project (VAO) supports the research activities of the Alpine high altitude research stations by combining their measurements and performing joint research projects. Access to other data, e.g. satellite - based, and to high performance computing facilities create almost unique research opportunities.

VAO Data Center in a nutshell: