WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Technological advances of the past two decades, especially space satellites and improved icebreaking research vessels, have fostered a rapid expansion of knowledge about antarctic sea ice. A new volume, "Antarctic Sea Ice: Physical Processes, Interactions and Variability," describes and analyzes many of these new insights. The 74th volume of the American Geophysical Union's Antarctic Research Series, it is edited by Martin O. Jeffries.
Among the fundamental discoveries since the 1970s is the determination that antarctic sea ice is different from that of the Arctic, which has been more thoroughly studied. In his preface, Jeffries suggests that the contributions in this volume could inspire sea ice geophysicists, atmospheric scientists, and oceanographers of both polar regions to pursue the interdisciplinary studies "that are vital to improving our understanding of the complex Antarctic sea ice physical environment." He notes that this environment is sensitive to climate change, both physically and biologically.
Six major chapters, each comprising several research papers, cover such topics as snow cover on sea ice, satellite microwave observations of pack ice characteristics and processes, and interactions between ice, ocean, and atmosphere. This volume is a companion to "Antarctic Sea Ice: Biological Processes, Interactions and Variability"; together, they provide a basis for further expansion of cooperative research into the physics and biology of millions of square kilometers of antarctic sea ice.
ISBN 0-87590-902-7 Cost: $56.00 (AGU members), $80.00 (non-members) Special price for combined purchase of Volumes 73 (Biological Processes) and 74 (Physical Processes): $80.50 (AGU members), $115.00 (non-members Available from the American Geophysical Union by phone: 800-966-2481 (from outside the U.S.A., +1-202-462-6900), or from the AGU web site: www.agu.org.