United States Antarctic Research
Report No. 32 to the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) 1 April 1989 - 31 March 1990
Submitted by the Polar Research Board
United States National Committee for Antarctic Research
POLAR RESEARCH BOARD
U.S. NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR SCAR
COMMISSION ON GEOSCIENCES, ENVIRONMENT, AND RESOURCES
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
NATIONAL ACADEMY PRESS
2101 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20418 USA
NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the Councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine.
This report has been reviewed by a group other than the authors according to procedures approved by a Report Review Committee consisting of members of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine.
The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Upon the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters. Dr. Frank Press is president of the National Academy of Sciences.
The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for advising the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering also sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages education and research, and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. Robert M. White is president of the National Academy of Engineering.
The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences to secure the services of eminent members of appropriate professions in the examination of policy matters pertaining to the health of the public. The Institute acts under the responsibility given to the National Academy of Sciences by its congressional charter to be an adviser to the federal government and, upon its own initiative, to identify issues of medical care, research, and education. Dr. Stuart Bondurant is acting president of the Institute of Medicine.
The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy's purposes of furthering knowledge and advising the federal government. Functioning in accordance with general policies determined by the Academy, the Council has become the principal operating agency of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. The Council is administered jointly by both Academies and the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Frank Press and Dr. Robert M. White are chairman and vice-chairman, respectively, of the National Research Council.
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Introduction
The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) of the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) requests that each of its National Committees produce and distribute on an annual basis a report on its national antarctic research programs. These annual reports are exchanged within the antarctic research community to help foster international cooperation and coordination of antarctic research.
This report is prepared and distributed by the Polar Research Board, acting as the U.S. National Committee for SCAR, in response to SCAR's request. It contains information on the United States Antarctic Program and other U.S. research conducted in antarctic waters completed during the period April 1989 through March 1990 and planned for the period April 1990 through March 1991.
The U.S. Antarctic Program is funded and managed by the National Science Foundation's Division of Polar Programs (NSF/DPP). In 1958, the National Academy of Sciences (the U.S. organization adhering to ICSU) established the Committee on Polar Research, subsequently designated the Polar Research Board, in response to a request from the Director of the National Science Foundation for assistance in formulating national scientific programs in Antarctica and in promoting international collaboration. Logistics are provided by the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Geological Survey, and contractors.
The data for this report have been compiled by the Polar Research Board staff in close cooperation with staff from the NSF/DPP. For example, the section on "Highlights of Science Activities" is prepared based on materials supplied by the NSF/DPP. The section on "Future Activities Planned" is supplied by representatives from the NSF/DPP. The entries in the section on "Prospectus of Planned Activities" are written by the principal investigators for various publications of the National Science Foundation. All three sections are reproduced here with minor editorial changes.
The United States Delegate to SCAR is Robert H. Rutford, and the Alternate Delegate to SCAR is Charles R. Bentley. The SCAR Secretariat is located at the Scott Polar Research Institute, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 IER, United Kingdom.
Robert H. Rutford
Chairman
Polar Research Board
