Abstract

The Frozen Earth Cambridge University Press, poor reproduction of shading due to over-reduction Cambridge, 1989). By PETER]. WilLIAMS and MICHAEL mars Figs 1.7 and 4.17. Chapters 5 and 6 are concerned with Slopes, W. SMI1H 176 X 253 mm. xvi + 306 pp. 115 illustrations, Stables. ISBNO 52136534. Price.£37·50. Subsidences, and Level Ground, and the discussions, for example, of solifluction and of This is not a book pertaining to the study of patterned ground combine description of features landscape history and many readers of this journal with original consideration of the processes may therefore choose not to read further. It is involved. however a very good book; informative, thought­ Chapters 7, 8 and 9 deal with the thermodynamics, provoking and extremely well presented. hydrology and mechanics of frozen ground. A The book is wholly concerned with contemporary physical science approach is developed and discussion becomes more theoretical. As is the case frozen ground, particularly those vast regions (26 throughout the book, supporting illustrations are per cent of the earth's land surface) underlain by good, copious references are made to published permafrost. Mention is made both of seasonally work, and literal interpretations often follow frozen ground (in non-permafrost areas) and