The International Antarctic Glaciological Project has collected information on the East Antarctic ice sheet since 1969. Analysis of ice cores revealed climatic history, and radar soundings helped map bedrock of the continent. Computer models of the ice sheet and its changes over time will aid in predicting the future. (DH)

Consequences of major and minor volcanic eruptions which took place during 1982 are discussed. These include lava flows, explosive activity, cloud production, and earthquakes of such volcanoes as Mount St. Helens, El-Chichon (Mexico), and Galunggung (Indonesia). Books, conferences, and publications focusing on volcanology are highlighted. (JN)

Recent trends related to the karst processes and the evolution of karst landscapes are discussed. The hydrochemical processes responsible for the origin of karst are expanded on to illustrate the present scope of karst studies. These geomorphological studies are combined with concepts and techniques from hydraulics, chemistry, and mathematics. (JN)

Highlights conferences and meetings of organizations involved with quaternary geology and geomorphology, including International Union of Quaternary Research Conference held in Moscow. The impetus of a revision of "The Quaternary of the United States" resulted from this conference. Includes activities/aims of "Friends of the…

Discusses: (1) the beginning of glaciology; (2) origin of erratic boulders, meteorites, volcanic explosions, floods, and drift; (3) ice age hypothesis in Europe and the United States; (4) development of glacial theory; (5) and a unified explanation of glacial events. A bibliography of classical research on glaciology is included. (BC)

Describes how seismic tomography is used to analyze the waves produced by earthquakes. The information obtained from the procedure can then be used to map the earth's mantle in three dimensions. The resulting maps are then studied to determine such information as the convective flow that propels the crustal plates. (JN)

Reviews current ideas and research findings related to the flow patterns of mantle rocks. Highlights the components of the two-layer convection and whole-mantle models of mantle flow. Proposes that mantle flow is the key to understanding how the earth has cooled and chemically evolved. (ML)

Seismic events which took place during 1982 form the focus of this review on 1982 seismic research activities and projects. Funding problems for local and other networks, earthquake-prediction research (funded by National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977: P.L. 95-124), use of computers, and aftershocks are among the areas addressed. (JN)

Discusses various topics related to planetary geomorphology, including: research techniques; such geomorphic processes as impact, volcanic, degradational, eolian, and hillslope/mass movement processes; and channels and valleys. Indicates that the subject should be taught as a series of scientific questions rather than scientific results of…

Reviews various topics and research studies on the geology of volcanoes. Areas examined include volcanoes and weather, plate margins, origins of magma, magma evolution, United States Geological Survey (USGS) volcano hazards program, USGS volcano observatories, volcanic gases, potassium-argon dating activities, and volcano monitoring strategies.…

Discusses trends, research activities, and conferences in geodynamics. These include topics on the lithosphere and lower continental crust formation discussed at a U.S. Geodynamics Committee workshop (Austin, Texas 1982) and symposia (each dealing with specific topics) sponsored by the Inter-Union Commission on Dynamics and Evolution of the…

Offers explanations on the origin of the North American Atlantic continental margin. Provides an analysis and illustrations of structural and strategraphic elements of cross sections of the Atlantic continental margin. Also explains the operations and applications of seismic-relection profiles in studying ocean areas. (ML)

Discusses two of the major research trends that are broadening the understanding of fluvial processes and changing the approach to investigations of stream behavior. These trends include research on rivers that do not flow in alluvial channels and detailed field studies on the mechanics of fluvial processes. (JN)

The Landsat Program became the major event of 1982 in geological remote sensing with the successful launch of Landsat 4. Other 1982 remote sensing accomplishments, research, publications, (including a set of Landsat worldwide reference system index maps), and conferences are highlighted. (JN)

Discusses conflicting theories that explain how and why bombardment by comets spells periodic disaster for life on earth. Dislodgment of comets occurs from a vast cloud that envelops the solar system by gravitational forces of either a companion star of the sun or a dust cloud. (BC)