Antarctica
Global Science from a Frozen Continent

A dramatically illustrated book, by leading international scientists, which describes Antarctica's central role in global scientific research.

David W. H. Walton (Edited by)

9781107003927, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 28 March 2013

352 pages, 10 b/w illus. 185 colour illus. 10 maps 10 tables
25.3 x 19.3 x 1.9 cm, 0.93 kg

'There is a lot of great information here and I must admit that I am now more of a believer in climate change than I was before I started reading this book. It's scary, but unless we understand the problem, we can never find the solution. If you truly want to gain an understanding of what is happening and why, I would strongly encourage you to read this book.' Geoffrey Carpentier, The Canadian Field-Naturalist

Antarctica is the coldest and driest continent on Earth – a place for adventure and a key area for global science. Research conducted there has received increasing international attention due to concerns over destruction of the ozone layer and the problem of global warming and melting ice shelves. This dramatically illustrated new book brings together an international group of leading Antarctic scientists to explain why the Antarctic is so central to understanding the history and potential fate of our planet. It introduces the beauty of the world's greatest wilderness, its remarkable attributes and the global importance of the international science done there. Spanning topics from marine biology to space science this book is an accessible overview for anyone interested in the Antarctic and its science and governance. It provides a valuable summary for those involved in polar management and is an inspiration for the next generation of Antarctic researchers.

Introduction David Walton
1. Discovering the unknown continent David Walton
2. The continental jigsaw Brian Storey
3. Ice with everything Valerie Masson-Delmotte
4. Climate of extremes John Cassano
5. Stormy and icy seas Eberhard Fahrbach
6. Life in a cold environment Peter Convey, Angelika Brandt and Steve Nicol
7. Space research from Antarctica Louis Lanzerotti and Alan Weatherwax
8. Living and working in the cold Lou Sanson
9. Scientists together on the ice Colin Summerhayes
10. Managing the frozen commons Olav Orheim
11. Antarctica and global change Alan Rodger
Appendix: visiting Antarctica
Appendix: further reading.

Subject Areas: The environment [RN], Earth sciences [RB], Earth sciences, geography, environment, planning [R]