Laxon Bay and Giles Bay

Celebrating 200 years since the discovery of the Antarctic continent, the UK Committee for Antarctic Place-Names has named 28 mountains, glaciers and bays after modern-day scientists who have advanced our understanding of this remote continent. The map shows the location of two bays named after Seymour Laxon and Katharine Giles.

Named in honour of Seymour Laxon, Laxon Bay lies in the northwest of the Antarctic Peninsula. Laxon Bay is about 10 km wide and 3 km deep and lies between Palosuo Islands and the west side of Renaud Island, Biscoe Islands. Prof. Laxon was the Director at the Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling at University College London. His research pioneered the use of satellite altimetry to measure the gravity field, sea-ice thickness and surface circulation in the polar oceans. His work provided evidence that enabled the development of the CryoSat mission.

Named after Katharine Giles, Giles Bay also lies in the northwest of the Antarctic Peninsula. Giles Bay is about 4 km wide and 3 km deep and lies between Weaver Point and Tula Point at the northern end of Renaud Island, Biscoe Islands. Dr Gilles’ research focussed on sea ice, ocean circulation and wind patterns, and the use of satellite altimetry to measure the thickness of Arctic and Antarctic sea ice.

Read full story: Places in Antarctica named in honour of ice scientists