Väinö Auer

Väinö Auer ( born January 7, 1895 in Helsinki, † 20 March 1981 ) was a Finnish geologist and geographer, known mainly because of its exploration of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.

Auer studied at the University of Helsinki, his studies, however, was due to the Finnish Civil War, in which he participated was interrupted. In 1923 he was awarded his doctorate in 1929 he became professor of geography.

Funded by the University undertook Auer two expeditions, the first in 1928-29 led him to Tierra del Fuego, the second 1937-38 to Patagonia. After the Second World War Auer moved all the way to Argentina and devoted himself to his studies. In addition, he acted as advisor to the Argentine government, especially in the settlement and colonization of the southern areas of the country.

1953 Auer eventually returned to Finland, where he first became a professor of Geography ( 1953-1957 ), later of Geology and Palaeontology ( 1957-1963 ).

In addition to his research in Argentina, Auer dedicated to the exploration of the phenomenon of progressive desertification. He put on rainy moorland habitats and is regarded as the founder of Tephrochronologie, a method of dating based on the analysis pyroclastic layers.