Wheeler Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wheeler Glacier |
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 Location in South Georgia Island
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| Location | South Georgia |
| Coordinates | 54°36′S 36°22′W / 54.600°S 36.367°W |
| Length | 2 nmi (4 km; 2 mi) |
| Thickness | unknown |
| Terminus | Royal Bay |
| Status | unknown |
The Wheeler Glacier is a large river of ice located on the island of South Georgia. This icy river flows from the northern side of Mount Fraser. It stretches for about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) towards the west-northwest. Finally, it reaches the southern coast of South Georgia, ending in a place called Royal Bay.
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What is Wheeler Glacier?
A glacier is like a very slow-moving river made of ice. It forms over many years as snow piles up and gets pressed into thick ice. The Wheeler Glacier is one of these amazing ice formations. It is found on the remote island of South Georgia. This island is in the southern Atlantic Ocean.
Where is Wheeler Glacier Located?
Wheeler Glacier is on South Georgia, which is a British overseas territory. It's a very cold place near Antarctica. The glacier starts high up on Mount Fraser. From there, it slowly slides down towards the sea. Its journey ends at Royal Bay, a beautiful inlet on the coast.
How Big is Wheeler Glacier?
This glacier is about 2 nautical miles long. That's roughly 2.3 miles or 3.7 kilometers. While its exact width and thickness are not fully known, it's a significant feature of the South Georgia landscape. Glaciers like Wheeler Glacier are important parts of the Earth's environment.
How Wheeler Glacier Was Discovered
The Wheeler Glacier was carefully studied and mapped between 1951 and 1957. This work was done by the South Georgia Survey (SGS). The SGS was a group of scientists and explorers. They explored and mapped many parts of South Georgia during those years. Their detailed work helped us understand the island's geography.
Who Was J.F.G. Wheeler?
The glacier was named after a British zoologist named J.F.G. Wheeler. A zoologist is a scientist who studies animals. Mr. Wheeler was a very important scientist. He worked at the Discovery Investigations Marine Station. This station was in Grytviken, South Georgia. He worked there from 1925 to 1927 and again from 1929 to 1930.
Why Was the Glacier Named After Him?
The United Kingdom Antarctic Place-Names Committee (UK-APC) named the glacier. This committee is responsible for naming places in the Antarctic region. They decided to name the glacier after J.F.G. Wheeler to honor his contributions. He spent a lot of time studying the marine life around South Georgia. Naming a glacier after him was a way to remember his important scientific work.
