This collection of papers by internationally known scientists in the field of geocryology was originally presented as a series of lectures at the University of British Columbia in 1980-1 in honour of J. Ross MacKay. Together they illustrate the central dilemma in a science where fieldwork must be undertaken in the harsh periglacial environment and where, consequently, it is difficult to test theory rigorously. The papers provide a valuable overview of the current status of international research in a wide area of the field -- permafrost, patterned ground, and cold climate phenomena and processes. The treatment varies from anecdotal, historical, and descriptive to mathematical.

Michael Church's profile page

Olav Slaymaker's profile page

Michael Church and Olav Slaymaker (editors) are members of the geography department at the University of British Columbia.

Overall this is a most welcome addition to the geocryological literature and one which is likely to have given Ross MacKay particular pleasure.

Modern Geology

Geographers of all stripes would do well to read this clearly written, informed, and sensitive piece. MacKay's consistently scholarly approach to pure and applied aspects of this important and extremely complex aspect of the earth sciences is an example and inspiration to us all.

Canadian Geographer