Antarctic meteorology and climatology /

This outstanding and timely publication presents a comprehensive analysis of Antarctic climatology and meteorology, including an outline of the region's physical characteristics and its role in the global system; an account of the instrumental and data bases; and chapters on physical climatology, large and smaller scale circulation systems, and climate variability and change. The links between the Antarctic atmosphere, oceans, sea ice, and ice sheet are examined. The coupling of Antarctic processes with the global system is reviewed. Of particular merit is the conservative final section on "greenhouse" effects. Emphasizing incomplete data and inadequate GCM linkages, the authors estimate an initial increasingly positive ice sheet mass balance giving a global sea level fall of 6 millimeters by 2030. Removal of ice shelves could result within 50 years, but significant sea level rise would not occur for 500 years (one meter; four meters after 5,000 years). These estimates must be compared with the melodramatic assumptions that permeate both popular and scientific literature. The authors are highly qualified, and their writing is very effective. The authors have concentrated on research publications of the last decade for their valuable bibliography. An excellently produced book. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals. J. D. Ives Carleton University