Glaciology first emerged as a science in the Swiss Alps, where most of the first glaciologists lived. Since then glaciologists from several countries, particularly from the First World, have made notable contributions to the discipline. Many glaciologists have backgrounds in geology, physics and climatology. + List of notable glaciologists Name Birth Death Contributions Louis Agassiz 1807 1873 First to scientifically propose the existence of past ice agesRichard Alley1957Studied the effects of basal properties on glacier motion. Jens Esmark 1763 1839 Extension of past glaciations Jón Eyþórsson 1898 1968 Long-term observation and measurement of glacier margins in IcelandAndrea Fischer1973Dynamics of climate change on the surface and subsurface of glaciers James David Forbes 1809 1868 Concluded that glaciers were viscous bodiesHelen Fricker1969Discovered active subglacial lakes in Antarctica.Chad Greene1984Produced the first global assessment of glacier seasonal dynamics. Louis Lliboutry 1922 2007 Formation of penitentes, surveyed Andean glaciers Mark Meier 2012 Expert on sea level rise due to melting glaciers; Director of the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) from 1985 to 1994.John H. Mercer19221987Linked the greenhouse effect to the potential for rapid sea level rise via marine ice sheet instability. Ukichiro Nakaya 1900 1962 Studied Tyndall figures, created first artificial snowflakesJohn Nye19232019Developed a fundamental flow law for glaciers. Louis Rendu 1789 1859 Theorized on glacier motionEric Rignot1961Produced the first pan-Antarctic map of glacier velocity. Valter Schytt 1919 1985 Studied Storglaciären in northern Sweden Wilhelm Sievers 1860 1921 Documented South American ice ages Sigurður Þórarinsson 1912 1983 significant contributions in many areas of geology, especially volcanology and glaciology, both in Iceland and abroad. John Tyndall 1820 1893 Studied glacier motion Ignaz Venetz 1788 1859 Suggested the existence of past ice ages Mary Vaux Walcott 1860 1940 Amateur glaciologist who studied and documented changes to the Illecillewaet Glacier for 25 years

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