How to fetch a formatted citation and retrieve a data set DOI using earthaccess

Problem

How can I use earthaccess to retrieve a data set digital object identifier (DOI) and formatted citation?

Solution

import earthaccess

results = earthaccess.search_datasets(
    keyword = 'snowex'
)
len(results)

127

for r in results[:5]:
    doi = r.doi()
    citation = r.citation(format='apa',language='en-US')
    print(doi)
    print()
    print(citation)

10.5067/SJZ90KNPKCYR

Mason, Megan, Vuyovich, Carrie, Stuefer, Sveta, Elder, Kelly, Vas, Dragos, Marshall, Hans-Peter, & Durand, Michael. (2024). SnowEx23 Mar23 Snow Pit Measurements, Version 1 [Dataset]. NASA National Snow and Ice Data Center Distributed Active Archive Center. https://doi.org/10.5067/SJZ90KNPKCYR

10.5067/QIANJYJGRWOV

Mason, Megan, Marshall, Hans-Peter, Craaybeek, Dylan, Elder, Kelly, & Vuyovich, Carrie. (2024). SnowEx21 Time Series Snow Pits, Version 1 [Dataset]. NASA National Snow and Ice Data Center Distributed Active Archive Center. https://doi.org/10.5067/QIANJYJGRWOV

10.5067/KZ43HVLZV6G4

Mason, Megan, Marshall, Hans-Peter, McCormick, Maeve, Craaybeek, Dylan, Elder, Kelly, & Vuyovich, Carrie. (2024). SnowEx20 Time Series Snow Pit Measurements, Version 2 [Dataset]. NASA National Snow and Ice Data Center Distributed Active Archive Center. https://doi.org/10.5067/KZ43HVLZV6G4

10.5067/NE8CLN3ES5XQ

Ciafone, Siobhan, ONeel, Shad, Adebisi, Naheem, Zikan, Karina, Enterkine, Joshua, Van Der Weide, Thomas, Wadhwani, Yasmin, Wilder, Brent, Hoppinen, Zach, Filiano, Dominic, & Marshall, Hans-Peter. (2025). SnowEx Mores Creek Summit (MCS) Airborne LiDAR Survey, Version 1 [Dataset]. NASA National Snow and Ice Data Center Distributed Active Archive Center. https://doi.org/10.5067/NE8CLN3ES5XQ

10.5067/UO5ASXKLQTDR

Mason, Megan, Vuyovich, Carrie, Stuefer, Svetlana, Elder, Kelly, Vas, Dragos, Marshall, Hans-Peter, Durand, Michael, & Liston, Glen. (2025). SnowEx23 Oct22 IOP Snow Pits and Substrate Conditions at Freeze Up, Version 1 [Dataset]. NASA National Snow and Ice Data Center Distributed Active Archive Center. https://doi.org/10.5067/UO5ASXKLQTDR

Discussion

Data Set Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

A DOI is a unique, permanent alphanumeric code assigned to digital objects (most commonly academic journal articles, books, and research datasets) to provide a persistent, actionable link to their location on the internet. Unlike URLs, which can change, a DOI remains stable over time.

A data set DOI can be used as a parameter in an earthaccess.search_data() query to uniquely constrain (data set and version) the data set of interest as in this how-to.

Citations and NASA Earthdata Use Constraints

These data are freely, openly, and fully available to use without restrictions, provided that you cite the data. For more information on the NASA ESDIS Data Use Guidance.