The magnetic and electric observations of the Maud Expedition during 1918 to 1925

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It is well recognized that the accumulation of additional reliable data in terrestrial magnetism and electricity in the polar regions is of first importance to the definite solution of unsolved problems both from the statistical and laboratory method of approach. The increased world‐wide interest in polar exploration evidenced, for example, by the rapidly‐developing plans of the International Society for the Exploration of the Arctic by Means of the Airship (Aeroarctic) and of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition, besides the already crowing: importance of establishing air‐routes in these regions, emphasizes the value of intensive scientific effort.The possibilities of obtaining valuable data on polar expeditions despite the unusual and extreme conditions encountered as well as the handicap of limited personnel are well illustrated by the recently published admirable reports1 on the magnetic and electric observations of the Maud Expedition in the second part of Volume VI of the “Researches of the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism.” These reports give the results and discussion of the data obtained through cooperation of the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism of the Carnegie Institution of Washington with the Maud Expedition, organized and directed by Captain Roald Amundsen. The scientific work was in charge of Dr. H. U. Sverdrup throughout. Because of the interest of the results to the readers of the JOURNAL it is thought desirable to summarize briefly the operations of the Expedition.