Grove Karl Gilbert
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Grove Karl Gilbert (May 6, 1843 – May 1, 1918), known by the abbreviated name G. K. Gilbert in academic literature, was an American geologist. After the creation of the U.S. Geological Survey in 1879, he was appointed to the position of Senior Geologist and worked for the USGS until his death. He also joined the Harriman Alaska Expedition in 1899.
He worked on the geology of the Henry Mountains and published a study of the former ancient Lake Bonneville in 1890 (the lake existed during the Pleistocene), of which the Great Salt Lake is a remnant. He named that lake after the army captain Benjamin L.E. de Bonneville, who had explored this region previously.
Gilbert is considered one of the giants of the sub-discipline of geomorphology, having contributed to the understanding of landscape evolution, erosion, river incision and sedimentation. Gilbert was also one of the more influential early American geologists.
He won the Wollaston Medal in 1900. Craters on the Moon and on Mars are named in his honor. Another crater on Mars was named after the ancient Lake Bonneville, as well.
