A BAY in Antarctica has been named after a professor who worked at the University of St Andrew's and passed away earlier this year.
Andrew Brierley, passed away in February at 56-years-old but his name will be remembered in Antarctica.
Brierley Bay is now located on the southern coast of Coronation Island in the South Orkney Islands.
The proposal was submitted by Professor Geraint Tarling, Dr Sally Thorpe and Dr Nadine Johnston of the British Antarctic Survey who worked with Brierley.
His name was considered "worthy and fitting" for the bay in recognition of his contribution to southern ocean ecosystems science.
He was a pioneer in using autonomous platforms to investigate to distribution of Antarctic krill.
He used moored echosounders and led the first deployment of one of the world's first autonomous underwater vehicles (Autosub) under sea ice in the northwestern Weddell Sea.
His latter study demonstrated the wide-scale importance of sea ice for the life cycle of Antarctic krill.
The UK Antarctic Place-names Committee is responsible for naming and recommending names for places in the British part of the Antarctic territory.
The proposal is then passed to the commissioner of the British Antarctic Territory for endorsement.
Kirsti Sharratt, Professor Brierley’s partner, said: “Andy would have been flabbergasted by the news but deeply honoured that there is a place in the world named after him.
"Along with the rest of his family, I would like to thank Sally, Geraint and Nadine at British Antarctic Survey for making this happen. The fact that Andy’s name will live on in the Antarctic is simply wonderful.”
Brierley Bay can be used on all maps, charts and publications.
