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)

Hot spots are isolated areas of geologic activity where volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and upwelling currents occur far from plate boundaries. These mantle plumes are relatively stable and crustal plates drift over them. The nature and location of hot spots (with particular attention to the Hawaiian Islands and Iceland) are discussed. (DH)

Examines some features of ice and snow that offer teachers and researchers help in understanding many aspects of igneous processes and configurations. Careful observation of such processes as melting, decay, evolution, and snow accumulation provide important clues to understanding processes by which many kinds of rocks form. (Author/JN)

Discusses trends in and factors related to the production of industrial minerals during 1982, indicating that, as 1981 marked a downturn in production of industrial minerals, 1982 continued the trend with temporary and permanent cutbacks in mine and plant production. Includes highlights of several conferences/conference papers in this field.…

From Maine to Texas, oceanside houses and quick-fix engineering are destroying America's most beautiful and fragile seashores. The processes responsible for this destruction (such as wave erosion and hurricanes) and efforts to solve the problem are discussed. (JN)

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)

Materials as ordinary as glacial till often afford instructive resources for classroom demonstration, field study, and laboratory analysis, rewarding the investigator with information about provenance, glacial transport history, environment and mode of deposition, and possible postglacial diagenesis. (Author)

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)

Examines issues regarding the defensibility and utility of natural selection as a scientific theory, focusing on the process of population change over time. Topics considered include criticisms of Darwinian theory, tautology and the meaning of fitness, the ability of theories to predict and explain, and the sufficiency of natural selection. (DH)

Plate tectonics is the current framework for understanding earth history and processes. Recent progress in this field is discussed, focusing on continental growth, mountain building, hot spots, and mineral depositions. (JN)

Highlights worldwide oil and gas developments during 1982, focusing on production, drilling, and other activities/projects in specific countries and regional areas. Indicates that the most political actions (other than the U.S. decision not to protest further the Siberian pipeline project) were the continued Afghanistan and Iraq-Iran wars.…

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)

Demonstrates the use of geological concepts and principles as an effective approach to teaching evolution and in turn the nature of science and the scientific method in the classroom. This approach to teaching makes it easier for students to understand the basic concepts of evolution which is really important in order to understand nature as it…