Snellius Glacier

Location of Elephant Island in the South Shetland Islands
Map of Elephant Island

Snellius Glacier (Bulgarian: ледник Снелий, romanizedlednik Snellius, IPA: ['lɛdnik 'snɛlij]) is the glacier extending 7 km in west–east direction and 3 km in south–north direction on the north coast of Elephant Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica draining the north slopes of Pardo Ridge and flowing northwards into Drake Passage between Eratosthenes Point and Ronalds Point. The area was visited by early 19th century sealers.[1]

The feature is named after Willebrord Snellius (Willebrord Snel van Royen, 1580–1626), a Dutch astronomer and mathematician who was the first to survey distances by triangulation; in association with other names in the area deriving from the early development or use of geodetic instruments and methods.

  1. ^ A. Gurney. Below the Convergence: Voyages Toward Antarctica, 1699-1839. New York: Penguin Books, 1998. 315 pp.