The WMO GAW Aerosol Lidar Observation Network (GALION): Overview and Coordinated Support Activities for satellite validation, and volcanic plumes, dust, and smoke monitoring

^(a) NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
^(b) CNR-IMAA, C.da S. Loja, I-85050 Tito Scalo (PZ), Italy
^(c) IPEN/CNEN-SP, Cidade Universitaria, CEP 05508-000, Sao Paulo, Brazil
^(d) National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan
^(e) Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Wrightwood, California, USA
^(f) UNIDEF (CITEDEF-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina

Published online: 9 April 2026

Abstract

The WMO Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) Aerosol Lidar Observation Network (GALION) was formed in 2008 as a collaboration of lidar networks, and includes the Asian Dust and Aerosol Lidar Observation Network (AD-Net), the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET), the Latin American Lidar Network (LALINET), the Micro Pulse Lidar Network (MPLNET), and lidar sites in the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC). The goal of GALION was to utilize a network of networks approach to share information, best practices, develop frameworks and techniques for quality data, and eventually provide an easier method of searching for and obtaining ground-based lidar data globally. An overview and update on GALION will be provided, along with a discussion of activities aimed to provide coordinated lidar network support for satellite validation, and volcanic plume, and dust and smoke observation programs.