On the more practical side, the study of the snow crystal has led to advances in the avoidance or prevention of avalanches and is therefore of value to railway engineers, mountaineers and ski-runners. Investigations on the freezing up of rivers and on the effects of snow cover upon “run-off” and floods have been actively taken up by water engineers and surveyors. In addition, the fascination of snow and ice and the beauty of the snowscape make wide appeal to laymen and many wish to know more about the subject.
It will be seen that these studies cover so wide a field that a central organization to coordinate them and to advise on programmes of research and exploration became a necessity.
As a result the British Glaciological Society was formed in 1936 as the “Association for the Study of Snow and Ice” whose primary object was “to encourage research on, and stimulate interest in, the practical and scientific problems of snow and ice.” Since then the Society has broadened its activities. For example, it is the responsible body for nominating members of the British Group of the International Commission of Snow and Glaciers, one of the commissions of the International Association of Hydrology in the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics. The Society is also resuming its annual Survey of Snowfall in the British Isles.
Meetings are held at about three-monthly intervals in London, Cambridge and other places, and the papers with their discussions are printed and circulated in the Society’s Journal, which among other features will contain a useful glaciological bibliography.
Membership of the Society is open to all who have scientific, practical or general interest in any aspect of snow and ice study, and is by nomination. A proposer and seconder are not necessary. Further particulars may be obtained from the Assistant Secretary, British Glaciological Society, c/o Royal Geographical Society, Kensington Gore, London, S.W.7.
