Gilbert, G. K.

Gilbert, G. K. (Grove Karl)

(1843–1918) geologist; born in Rochester, N.Y. He served on geological explorations of Ohio and the western U.S.A., became chief geologist for the U.S. Geological Survey (1889–92), then devoted his time to lectures, research, and writing. He formulated many of the laws of geological processes and introduced technical terms to the literature. His writings include a definitive report on the Henry Mountains, Utah (1877), a history of the Niagara River (1895), and his greatest work, a study on the extinct Lake Bonneville of Nevada and Utah (1890).