On Sea Ice

by Weeks, W. F.

• ISBN13: 9781602230798
• ISBN10: 160223079X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-06-15
• Publisher: Univ of Alaska Pr

Summary

Covering more than seven percent of the earth's surface, sea ice is crucial to the functioning of the biosphereand is a key component in our attempts to understand and combat climate change. WithOn Sea Ice, geophysicist W. F. Weeks delivers a natural history of sea ice, a fully comprehensive and up-to-date account of our knowledge of its creation, change, and function. The volume begins with the earliest recorded observations of sea ice, from 350 BC, but the majority of its information is drawn from the period after 1950, when detailed study of sea ice became widespread. Weeks delves into both micro-level characteristicsinternal structure, component properties, and phase relationsand the macro-level nature of sea ice, such as salinity, growth, and decay. He also explains the mechanics of ice pack drift and the recently observed changes in ice extent and thickness. An unparalleled account of a natural phenomenon that will be of increasing importance as the earth's temperature rises,On Sea Icewill unquestionably be the standard for years to come.

Author Biography

W. F. "willy" Weeks is a geophysicist with long-term interests in the ice that covers the increasingly important polar oceans. He has extensive field experience in both the Arctic and Antarctic and is a major contributor to the technical literature about the poles.