Review by Choice Review
Wadhams (Univ. of Cambridge) is an internationally renowned expert on sea ice. He writes for the senior undergraduate and beginning graduate student who needs to understand the processes of the formation, transport, and decay of sea ice and its influence on the climate system. The book also includes a chapter on icebergs. Consisting of eight chapters, an extensive and exhaustive list of references, and a 16-page subject and geographic index, the book is illustrated with a series of excellent black-and-white and color photographs, plus satellite images and a profusion of diagrams and maps. It commences with an overview of the issue and problems in the chapter "The Frozen Oceans." Chapter 2 discusses the formation, growth, and decay of sea ice. Other chapters discuss the details of the thermodynamics of sea ice and its movement. As the sea ice moves onto shallow shelves, immense pressures cause pressure ridges that affect ice thickness. These issues are evaluated in Chapter 5. A special area for sea ice is the place where the floating pack meets the open ocean; this is called the "marginal zone," treated in chapter 6. A final chapter discusses sea ice, climate, and the environment. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty. J. T. Andrews University of Colorado at Boulder
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review