Griffith Glacier
Encyclopedia
Griffith Glacier is a tributary glacier
draining westward from the California Plateau
and Watson Escarpment
to enter Scott Glacier
between Mount McKercher
and Mount Meeks
. Mapped by United States Geological Survey
(USGS) from surveys and U.S. Navy air photos, 1960-63. Named by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names
(US-ACAN) for Lieutenant Commander Philip G. Griffith, aircraft commander on photographic flights during Operation Deep Freeze
1966 and 1967.
Glacier
A glacier is a large persistent body of ice that forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. At least 0.1 km² in area and 50 m thick, but often much larger, a glacier slowly deforms and flows due to stresses induced by its weight...
draining westward from the California Plateau
California Plateau
California Plateau is an undulating ice-covered plateau, long and from wide, which rises to at the eastern side of Scott Glacier. The plateau reaches a maximum height of in Mount Blackburn at the southern end. The northwestern side of the plateau is marked by the steep rock cliffs of Watson...
and Watson Escarpment
Watson Escarpment
Watson Escarpment is a major escarpment in the Queen Maud Mountains, trending northward along the east margin of Scott Glacier, then eastward to Reedy Glacier where it turns southward along the glacier's west side. Somewhat arcuate, the escarpment is nearly 100 nautical miles long, rises...
to enter Scott Glacier
Scott Glacier (Transantarctic Mountains)
The Scott Glacier is a major glacier, 120 miles long, that drains the East Antarctic Ice Sheet through the Queen Maud Mountains to the Ross Ice Shelf...
between Mount McKercher
Mount McKercher
Mount McKercher is a mountain, 2,230 m, standing at the east side of Scott Glacier, just north of the mouth of Griffith Glacier, in the Queen Maud Mountains. Discovered in December 1934 by the Byrd Antarctic Expedition geological party under Quin Blackburn, and named for Hazel McKercher,...
and Mount Meeks
Mount Meeks
Mount Meeks is a mountain, 2,470 m, surmounting the rocky divide between the Griffith and Howe Glaciers, in the Queen Maud Mountains. Mapped by United States Geological Survey from surveys and U.S. Navy air photos, 1960-63. Named by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for Lieutenant...
. Mapped by United States Geological Survey
United States Geological Survey
The United States Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology,...
(USGS) from surveys and U.S. Navy air photos, 1960-63. Named by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names
Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names
The Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names is an advisory committee of the United States Board on Geographic Names responsible for recommending names for features in Antarctica...
(US-ACAN) for Lieutenant Commander Philip G. Griffith, aircraft commander on photographic flights during Operation Deep Freeze
Operation Deep Freeze
Operation Deep Freeze is the codename for a series of United States missions to Antarctica, beginning with "Operation Deep Freeze I" in 1955–56, followed by "Operation Deep Freeze II", "Operation Deep Freeze III", and so on...
1966 and 1967.