Review process

Once the manuscript has been registered (as a regular manuscript or part of a theme issue), the author will receive a manuscript number from the online editorial support system, the Copernicus Office Editor, and will be asked to upload the manuscript files as described in the manuscript submission.

• The Copernicus Publications Editorial Support performs an incoming inspection of the submitted files and consults the author if necessary. The files may not contain the names and affiliations of the authors (double-anonymized peer-review process). A plagiarism check is applied and a report is available to editors and referees (if applicable).
• The Copernicus Office Editor assigns the manuscript to the editor/theme issue editor covering the relevant subject areas. She/he gets access to the entire manuscript.
• The editor/theme issue editor nominates at least four independent referees. As soon as a referee has agreed, she/he receives the manuscript without the names of the authors and their affiliations (double-anonymized peer-review process).
• Once at least two independent referee reports have been received, the Copernicus Office Editor contacts the editor/theme issue editor to read these reports and to make a decision. In addition to acceptance/rejection, the editor/theme issue editor can request technical corrections (no further review), minor revisions (further review by editor/theme issue editor only), as well as major revisions (further review by referees and editor/theme issue editor).
• The Copernicus Office Editor informs the author of the manuscript about the decision and provides a link to the reports of the editor/theme issue editor and the referees, which do not contain the names of the referees (double-anonymized peer-review process).
• The peer-review process of each manuscript is summarized in the manuscript records. Topic editors/theme issue editors, authors, and referees have access to parts that concern them.