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A variety of glaciers, bays, domes, mountains and inlets in Antarctica have been named in honor of modern British scientists and explorers.
In all, 28 locations within the British Antarctic Territory – a section of Antarctica claimed by the United Kingdom – were named after the British who made “an outstanding contribution” to the scientific understanding of the southernmost continent on Earth.
Among the honored is Jonathan Shanklin, who in 1985 discovered a hole in the ozone layer, the thin part of the Earth’s atmosphere that protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Shanklin Glacier, a glacier approximately 7.5 miles long and 2 miles wide, was named in honor of the pioneering meteorologist.
Also recognized is director and producer Alastair Fothergill, who has produced BBC television series such as Frozen Planet and Planet Earth, “raising awareness of Antarctica and climate change”.
Two scientists from University College London who tragically died within months of each other in 2013 also had bays named after them.
Locations of the 28 glaciers, bays, domes, mountains and inlets named after British scientists who contributed to our understanding of the continent
Many of the 28 recognized people worked with the British Antarctic Survey, the British government-backed national Antarctic operation.
The 28 names were chosen by the UK’s Antarctic Place Names Committee, which evaluates proposals and makes recommendations for place names within the British Antarctic Territory (BAT), one of 14 British Overseas Territories.
This year’s place names mark the 200th anniversary of the discovery of Antarctica by Russian, British and American explorers in 1820.
“We are thrilled to announce 28 new toponyms in BAT, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the discovery of Antarctica,” said the UK’s Antarctic Place Names Committee.
The locations are within the British Antarctic Territory (BAT), one of the 14 British overseas territories
Francis Peak, just named in honor of the director of the British Antarctic Survey, Professor Dame Jane Francis, seen from the Rothera Research Station in Antarctica
“Those recognized today represent the UK’s leading Antarctic scientists or those who have contributed to our greater understanding of the continent and who have not been honored with a place name until now.”
The current and first female director of the British Antarctic Survey, Professor Dame Jane Francis, received a prominent peak, measuring 1,136 meters.
The peak has towering cliffs on the eastern side, on the horseshoe ridge east of Mount Liotard on the island of Adelaide.
Adelaide Island itself is located off the western part of the Thin Antarctic Peninsula, the northernmost part of the mainland.
The UK’s Antarctic Placement Committee also honored Dr Katharine Giles and Professor Seymour Laxon, two prominent sea ice scientists who died in 2013, with bays around the island of Renaud along the peninsula’s western side.
Dr. Giles was a “revolutionary” researcher in sea ice, ocean circulation and wind patterns, and an avid scientific communicator, said UCL, who was killed while riding a bicycle.
Leading sea ice scientists Dr Katharine Giles and Professor Seymour Laxon have been assigned bays around the island of Renaud
Lecturer at UCL, he has carried out innovative research on sea ice, ocean circulation and wind patterns.
Both Dr. Giles and Professor Laxon, who died following an accident on the first of the year 2013, pioneered the use of satellite altimetry, a radar technique for measuring the thickness of sea ice and surface circulation in the sea. Arctic Ocean.
Also recognized with a glacier is Professor David N. Thomas, a sea ice ecologist and honorary professor at Bangor University in Wales.
“I am amazed, humbled and delighted by the news today that I have an Antarctic glacier named after me in recognition of my modest contribution to sea ice research,” said Professor Thomas.
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