Agassiz Glacier (New Zealand)

Agassiz Glacier
Agassiz Glacier in 2001
Map showing the location of Agassiz Glacier
Map showing the location of Agassiz Glacier
LocationWestland District, West Coast Region, New Zealand
Coordinates43°30′11″S 170°12′36″E / 43.503121°S 170.210023°E / -43.503121; 170.210023
TerminusFranz Josef Glacier / Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere

The Agassiz Glacier is located near the west coast of New Zealand's South Island. The Agassiz Glacier is a tributary of the larger Franz Josef Glacier,[1] and is itself fed by the Chamberlin Snowfield and the Davis Snowfield. It is named after Louis Agassiz, a Swiss-American glaciologist, and was discovered and named by the German geologist, Sir Johann "Julius" von Haast.[2]

In 2015, the glacier was informally 'unnamed' as part of a worldwide campaign to disassociate Agassiz's name from various geographic features and, in this instance, to replace it with a relevant Māori name.[2][3]

References

  1. ^ "Agassiz Glacier flowing into the Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand". nz.geoview.info. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  2. ^ a b "News – Māori ceremony 'un-names' New Zealand glacier – Wellington City Council". wellington.govt.nz. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  3. ^ Orzessek, Eli (11 July 2015). "Feud over 'racist' peak". NZ Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 11 May 2018.