Arctic Slope Research Articles

Den ecology of the Arctic fox in northern Alaska

During July and August 1962, 50 Arctic fox dens were studied on The Teshekpuk Lake Section of the Alaskan Arctic Slope. Depth to permafrost and soil texture govern location of fox dens in low. ice-core mounds with a minimum mound height of 1 m necessary for the establishment of a successful den. Soil temperatures at den sites were higher than those in nearby non-den habitats. The presence of the fox den alters plant growth near the burrow, changing the typical tundra community into a lush, vigorous one dominated by grasses.

Aspects of Winter Temperatures in Interior Alaska

The interior basin between the climatic divides of the Brooks and Alaska Ranges has extremely low winter temperatures in contrast to the milder regime of both southcentral Alaska and the region on the Arctic Slope of the Brooks Range. There is a cold pole centered on the Yukon flats and extending over the Yukon and Tanana valleys. Two local factors in the occurrence of low winter temperatures are the wide expanse of relatively flat and low-lying surface suited to the development of substantial low level temperature inversions in winter when the radiation balance of the surface is strongly negative; and encirclement by a mountain mass which is effective in preventing the weaker low level synoptic scale weather systems from invading the basin. Large-scale circulation factors associated with extreme years are described.

Ecological Studies on the Alaskan Arctic Slope

Considers the tundra, or terrestrial environment and animal ecology primarily, citing the prime role of the Naval Arctic Research Lab at Barrow since 1947, in making the North Arctic Slope and adjacent waters one of the best-known sectors of the Arctic. The International Biological Program includes analysis of ecosystems and human adaptability, which demand study in the Arctic, where tundra, a low temperature extreme among ecosystem-types on the land, has a special importance. Future work will require ecologists, physiologists, taxonomists, climatologists, geomorphologists, pediologists and others to understand the tundra habitat and its populations as a total system. The complexity is illustrated by a flow diagram for energy and nutrients in tundra ecosystems and of the energy cycle in the biosphere, with comments on specific problems. Little is known about decomposition processes or life cycles of insects upon which birds feed; more quantitative observation and measurement of vegetation, the base of the food web, is needed. Factors and strategies which influence diversity of animal species in the tundra are discussed. Need to deal with ecology of the normal tundra is crucial, for with discovery of oil in northern Alaska, there is a need to deal with a damaged tundra.

Distribution and movements of white foxes in northern and western Alaska

White foxes occur on the tundra of northern and western Alaska and predominate on St. Lawrence, St. Matthew, Hall, and Diomede Islands in the Bering Sea. Few white foxes are found on the Pribilof and Aleutian Islands where blue foxes dominate the local fox population. On the Alaskan Arctic Slope, two seasonal movements, the first in the fall when foxes move seaward towards the coast and sea ice, and the second in late winter and early spring when they return inland to occupy summer den sites, occur. Although reported in other arctic areas, no definite records of fox migrations in northern Alaska exist. Distribution records for white foxes in Alaska are summarized.

Developments in Alaska in 1967

The most important development in Alaska during 1967 was the 4-fold increase in development drilling and the doubling of state oil production resulting from oil-industry activities in Cook Inlet basin. Exploration decreased during 1967 and was conducted in only 4 of the 10 basins in Alaska. Wildcat drilling declined 8.3% and of the 33 wildcats drilled, 2 were on the Arctic Slope, 1 on the Alaska Peninsula, and the rest were in Cook Inlet. The success percentage decreased to 12.5% with only 4 new discoveries, all in Cook Inlet basin. They include 1 new gas field at Beaver Creek, 1 new oil pool at North Trading Bay, 1 deeper gas pool at Kenai, and 1 gas-field extension at Nicolai Creek. Geophysical activity declined 14% to a total of 68.5 crew-months, includnig 42.5 crew-months in Cook Inlet basin, 14 crew-months in Gulf of Alaska basin, 10 crew-months in Bristol Bay basin, and 2 crew-months in the Yukon-Delta area. Although this represents a decrease in activity in Cook Inlet, it is an increase in the Bristol Bay and Gulf of Alaska areas where industry interest is high in anticipation of offshore sales scheduled for 1968 and 1969. Extensive multicompany marine seismic surveys were conducted in both the Gulf of Alaska and lower Cook Inlet areas. Geologic field-party activities declined 14% to a total of 39 crew-months, including 17 crew-months in the Gulf of Alaska area, 13 crew-months in the Bristol Bay area, 6 crew-months in the Cook Inlet area, and 3 crew-months o the Arctic Slope. Land activities continued to be restricted by the Alaska native claims that cover 90% of the land area of the state. Federal oil- and gas-lease holdings decreased 23% to a total of 7,112,000 acres at year-end and state leases totaled 3,689,599 acres. The 3 state competitive lease sales brought a new record bonus total of $20,236,634 for 301,404 acres, mostly in Cook Inlet. The only other lease sale was the Tyonek Indian sale in Cook Inlet that totaled $2,699,050 for 13,039 acres. Oil production increased 101% to 28,917,464 bbl and gas production increased 51.7% to 62,515,658 Mcf. The 41 development wells drilled were in Cook Inlet and 37 were completed as producing wells. Five new platforms were added to the 6 platforms operating in offshore Cook Inlet, and 3 more are expected to be constructed in 1968. Submarine pipelines to shore facilities were installed and the 20-in pipeline and marine terminal on the west side of Cook Inlet were completed. Construction also began on the ammonia-urea and the liquified methane plants at Nikiski on the Kenai Peninsula to utilize gas from the Kenai and North Cook Inlet fields.

Biostratigraphy of Niobrara-Equivalent Part of Mancos Shale (Cretaceous) in Northwestern Colorado

Study of microfossils, particularly Foraminifera, from the part of the Cretaceous Mancos Shale in northwestern Colorado that is equivalent to the Niobrara Formation of the High Plains region has determined that these fossils can be used to establish biostratigraphic subdivisions and interpret paleogeographic conditions. The microfossils used in the investigation came from two surface sections and one well in northwestern Colorado and one surface section in northeastern Colorado. The microfauna contains several species in common with beds of the same age in the Gulf Coast and Great Plains areas, and also contains forms which have been reported from equivalent beds in Alberta and the Arctic Slope of Alaska. The microfossils are predominantly calcareous and represent a limited number of planktonic and benthonic forms. Samples taken throughout each of the sections were studied and plotted systematically to determine the stratigraphic distribution of the microfossils. Concentrations of larger numbers of fossils were found in the lower part of the Niobrara-equivalent strata. This lower part is characterized in both northwestern and northeastern Colorado by a variety of benthonic calcareous foraminifers, notably species of Globorotalites and Bifarina, and Pleurostomella austiniana. It is termed informally the Globorotalites interval. Further study may make possible the subdivision of this interval on the basis of the stratigraphic distribution of Globorotalites and Bifarina. The microfauna of the upper part of the section is more limited and is characterized particularly by some species of Gavelinella, notably G. talaria. This upper part is termed the Gavelinella interval. Throughout the Niobrara-equivalent section the planktonic species Heterohelix lobulosa and Hedbergella loetterlei are common, and in most samples the planktonic forms predominate. Interpretation of the environment of deposition of the northwestern Colorado beds has been based on (1) the ratio of planktonic to benthonic foraminifers, (2) modern analogues of foraminiferal genera found as fossils, (3) size and abundance of microfossils, and (4) variety of genera and species. The evidence indicates that large volumes of clay-size clastic sediment were supplied to northwestern Colorado during the deposition of the Niobrara-equivalent part of the Mancos Shale. This fine-grained clastic material diluted the population of foraminifers found as fossils in the sediment (in comparison with the living population) and may have restricted the variety of genera and species. The absence of keeled foraminifers in Niobrara-equivalent beds in northwestern Colorado indicates colder water temperatures (probably less than 20° C) in this region than in areas on the south and east at the same time. The colder water temperatures, as well as the distribution of fine-grained clastic sediment, probably resulted from a combination of a southward-directed, nearshore circulation system along the western boundary of the western interior seaway and the possible upwelling of deeper, colder water. Ratios of planktonic to benthonic Foraminifera and modern analogues of some genera indicate that the seaway was probably on the order of 200 m deep in northwestern Colorado during deposition of the Niobrara-equivalent beds.

Sedna Creek: Report on an Archaeological Survey on the Arctic Slope of the Brooks Range

AbstractDuring the summer of 1964, a field party from Wichita State University conducted a survey in the vicinity of May Lake, 50 air mi. northwest of Anaktuvuk Pass. A large number of heavily patinated artifacts was discovered on and beneath the present ground surface in the flood plain of a small stream not registered on U.S. Geological Survey maps and named Sedna Creek. The artifact assemblage consists of flakes and flake tools, all of which belong to one single tradition. A comparison with Far North assemblages indicates that Sedna Creek is the fourth site of the British Mountain complex. Of Old World sites, Ust-Kanskaia, Tuin-Gol, the Mal’ta-Buret complex, Sannyi Mys, and Chastinskaya appear closely related.

Developments in Alaska in 1966

Exploration and development in Alaska during 1966 reached maximum activity. Exploratory drilling resulted in 5 new-field discoveries, 1 new-pool discovery, and 6 successful extensions out of 36 wells drilled. Success was limited to the Cook Inlet basin and the discovery rate decreased from 52% in 1965 to 30% in 1966. Particularly important was the confirmation of the McArthur River field as a giant oil field comparable to Swanson River, Middle Ground Shoal, and Granite Point. Seismic activity increased 31% from 1965. Extensive joint marine surveys were conducted in the Bristol Bay, lower Cook Inlet, and the Gulf of Alaska. Surface geological parties increased 17% from 1965. The Gulf of Alaska and Arctic Slope were the most active basins. State competitive lease sales in the Cook Inlet basin and the Gulf of Alaska brought a total bonus of $7,177,160 for 152,577 acres. The Department of the Interior opened 4,000,000 acres on the Arctic Slope for simultaneous filing. Leasing was slowed by native land claims on approximately 60% of the land area of Alaska. Development drilling increased slightly; 9 oil wells were completed in offshore fields of Cook Inlet. Oil production increased 29% from 1965 to 14,358,212 bbls., and gas production increased 244% to 41,217,032 Mcf. In Cook Inlet 4 new drilling and production platforms were added to the 2 already in operation to drill the vast new offshore oil reserves. Five more platforms, to be erected in 1967, will provide a combined capacity of 400 wells. Dual pipelines 39 mi. long were laid to connect these new platforms to onshore facilities. Laying of a 20 in., 42-mi. pipeline began along the west shore of the Inlet, and will connect the developing west-side fields to a tanker terminal at Drift River. Ground was broken on the Kenai Peninsula near Nikiski for an ammonia-urea plant. The Kenai gas ield will provide the methane feedstock. The shut-in Beluga River gas field is expected to produce gas in 1967 to generate onsite electrical power for transmission to Anchorage.

Migration of Willow Ptarmigan in Arctic Alaska

Studies the movements of Lagopus lagopus through the narrow valley of Anaktuvuk Pass in the Brooks Range, recorded since 1948. Migration from the breeding grounds in the Colville and other river valleys in the Arctic Slope begins in late Sept; movement northward from as far south as the Koyukuk River occurs in mid Jan-early Feb and again in early Apr. In winter adult males predominate in the northern range, juvenile males in the Pass, and females in the southern range.

Water Discharge in the Colville River, 1962

This report, based on field work along the Colville River, Alaska, presents hydrological characteristics of the surface drainage in an area of continuous permafrost on the Arctic Slope. Water disch...

The Prehistory of the Utukok River Region Arctic Alaska: Early Fluted Point Tradition with Old World Relationships

During the summers of 1965 and 1966, archaeological reconnaissance and excavation was conducted by the author and two field assistants on the Upper and Middle Utukok River, northwestern Alaska. Lithic collections made during the expeditions contain fluted points of Clovis type in direct association with several unique implements, strikingly similar in both form and technique to examples from the European Upper Palaeolithic. The region of investigation, approximately 100 river miles in length, includes that portion of the Utukok River valley which lies within the Arctic Foothills province of the Arctic Slope of north Alaska (Fig. 1). This area, because of its proximity to Bering Strait, because it remained unglaciated throughout Wisconsin times, and because it has apparently contained large herds of herbivorous big game animals for tens of thousands of years, is a critical region in which to search for the cultural remains of early Palaeo-Indian immigrants to the New World. This area lies far beyond the treeline, and the country is made up of broad, tundra-covered valleys separated by synclinal and anticlinal sandstone ridges stretching east to west, connecting the Utukok drainage with other river basins. The archaeological sites were invariably found on the tops and flanks of these ridges, where the actions of frost, solifluction, and washing on the already thin veneer of topsoil has had the effect of eliminating any stratigraphy which may have been present. The sites ranged from small concentrations of chippings to large areas several thousand square yards in extent, littered with artifacts and flaking debris. No organic remains or features were observed on the sites, and artifacts were discovered both on the surface and scattered randomly throughout the thin topsoil layer by washing and frost action. The 1965-66 archaeological project, supported by the Arctic Institute of North America, the Explorers Club, and the National Science Foundation (U.S.A.), consisted of a reinvestigation of some of the lithic sites reported by Thompson in 1948, together with the discovery and testing of other PalaeoIndian sites in the region. A total of 23 lithic sites were examined, four being localities discovered by Thompson (including one-Site 13-on which a fluted point was found), while the other 19 represent new finds. Approximately 600 finished artifacts and 10,000 stone flakes, nearly half of them retouched or used, were recovered in all. All of the implements, with the single exception of a barbed antler point of Eskimo type, are of a dense, glassy Jurassic chalcedony, black, blue-gray, or reddish in color. Despite the fact that chalcedony occurs in large outcrops in the DeLong Mountains a short distance to the south, nearly all the Utukok artifacts appear to have originated as river cobbles. While chalcedony pebbles are fairly common in the Utukok River gravels, examples large enough to be employed for toolmaking are by no means abundant, suggesting that the peoples traversing the area at the time represented by much of the cultural material were unaware of the existence of good flint quarries nearby. The high degree of utilization of unretouched flakes as cutting, scraping, or chopping tools reflects an economical use of this limited raw material, and further implies that the Utukok sites served not only as game lookout and chipping stations, but represent living sites or campsites where game was butchered, eaten, and fashioned into artifacts by whole bands of hunting people. Although stratigraphy is lacking in the Utukok sites, typological comparisons of the artifacts with those from other North American and Eurasian assemblages reveal at least six distinctive cultural components. These complexes, which reflect a temporal span extending from the present to possibly 12,000 B.C. or earlier, include: (1) late prehistoric Utorquarmiut Eskimo materials; (2) tools of the Arctic Small Tool tradition, very similar to artifacts from the Iyatayet site at Cape Denbigh (Giddings 1951); (3) a notched point component with implements possibly

Nutrition of Willow Ptarmigan in Northern Alaska

THE arctic and subarctic regions of Alaska and northern Canada are extensive areas occupied by large populations of relatively few species of animals. Many of these are browsers, such as moose (Alces alces), porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), tundra hare (L. othus), and two species of Ptarmigan, Rock (Lagopus mutus), and Willow (L. lagopus). These species obtain most of their nutrition from the stems, bark, twigs, buds, and leaves of brushy plants and trees. Beyond the limit of trees, however, only a few genera of bushy plants are available, the most abundant being Salix (willow), Alnus (alder), and Betula (birch). Salix appears to be the most important genus and sustains Willow Ptarmigan and moose throughout the winter in the arctic slope area of northern Alaska. Willow Ptarmigan have perhaps a more specialized and uniform diet than any other northern animal since during many winter months up to 94 per cent of their diet consists of buds and twigs of willow, and 80 per cent of this may be of a single species. The adaptation of the ptarmigan's own digestive enzymes and the ability of its intestinal and cecal microflora to provide nutritive and energy requirements to the bird from a single generic plant source is unusual and interesting. This paper reports on the results of one of a series of studies which has been undertaken to understand these adaptations and to document seasonal and latitudinal variations in the diet of these birds. The population we studied breeds in the valley of the Colville River, north of the Brooks Range in northern Alaska and migrates south through passes in the mountains to winter throughout the river valleys of the range as far south as the Koyukuk River, a northern tributary of the Yukon. This population has been under observation since 1948 by Laurence Irving and Simon Paneak who have recorded changes in seasonal abundance and movements in several papers (Irving and Paneak, 1954; Irving, 1960; Irving et al., 1965). The population segregates into age and sex groups in its migration south in the fall and these groups become distributed along a north-south gradient through the Brooks Range (Irving et. al., 1965). Samples from ptarmigan flocks were collected as often as possible from Umiat (690 24! N lat., 152? 07' W long.), Anaktuvuk Pass (680 09' N, 151? 46' W), Crevice Creek (670 22' N, 152? 04' W), and Bettles Field (660 55' N, 1510 28' W) (Figure 1). Details on sex composition of the

Range Extensions and Additional Notes on the Birds of Alaska's Arctic Slope

Range Extensions and Additional Notes on the Birds of Alaska's Arctic Slope Get access George C. West, George C. West Laboratory of Zoophysiology, University of Alaska, Cotige, Alaska Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Clayton M. White Clayton M. White Department of Zoology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. (Publication No. 20 of the Laboratory of Zoophysiology. Supported in part by National Institutes of Health, Grant No. GM-10402.) Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar The Condor, Volume 68, Issue 3, 1 May 1966, Pages 302–304, https://doi.org/10.2307/1365567 Published: 01 May 1966

Developments in Alaska in 1965

Exploration in Alaska during 1965 was highlighted by the high success of exploratory drilling. Nineteen exploratory wells were drilled with 52.6% successful oil or gas completions. Seventeen exploratory wells were drilled in the Cook Inlet basin and 10 were successful. Alaska's 5 new-field discoveries were made in this basin, and for the first time oil discoveries were made on the west shore of Cook Inlet. Exploratory drilling is expected to increase in the Cook Inlet basin during 1966 and to continue on the Arctic slope. Geological surface work and geophysical activity decreased during 1965. A marked increase in both is expected during 1966, particularly in geophysical activity in the Cook Inlet basin. It is anticipated there also will be an increase in the Gulf of Alaska and in Bristol Bay. Activity on the Arctic slope is expected to continue at the same rate or to increase slightly. State land sales on the Arctic slope and in Cook Inlet resulted in bonus bids of $10,819,816. Two large blocks of Federal land were released on the Arctic slope. Leasing activity is expected to remain high in 1966. The first oil production from the Middle Ground Shoal field in Cook Inlet was marketed through a newly completed offshore pipeline. Six more pipelines are expected in Cook Inlet in 1966. Development drilling accelerated with the development of the Kenai gas field. Two development wells were drilled in the Middle Ground Shoal field and development drilling in this field is expected to increase greatly during 1966.

Significant Oil and Gas Developments in Alaska, 1965-1966: ABSTRACT

Recent oil exploration in Alaska is centered in five sedimentary basins: Cook Inlet basin; Arctic (North) Slope province; Bristol Bay basin; Gulf of Alaska province; and Copper River basin. Surface and seismic exploration parties have been active in each, greatest emphasis being in the Cook Inlet basin and the Arctic (North) Slope province. The oil industry in Alaska during 1965 drilled 19 exploratory wells, resulting in the discovery of 3 oil fields, 3 gas fields, and extensions of 2 oil fields and 1 gas field. The 3 oil discoveries, all under Cook Inlet waters, are Granite Point, Trading Bay, and McArthur River. The gas discoveries are on the upland area of the Cook Inlet basin at Birch Hill, North Fork, and Moquawkie. The Granite Point discovery was extended north more than 3 mi. by subsequent drilling. A discovery was made 6 mi. south of production at Middle Ground Shoal. Gas production at the Cook Inlet field was extended about 2 mi. southwest. Two exploratory wells drilled in 1965-66 on the Arctic (North) Slope were reported non-productive. Two shallow dry exploratory wells were drilled on the north flank of the Co per River basin. Both were unsuccessful. The first two permanent platforms in Cook Inlet were installed at Middle Ground Shoal oil field during 1965, and development drilling began. A twin 8-mi. crude-oil pipeline was completed connecting the two platforms with an onshore treating facility. This furnished the first outlet for crude oil other than that at the Swanson River field. Contracts were let for 6 additional offshore-drilling and production platforms to be erected during 1966. End_Page 2029------------------------------ The most significant event since the discovery of oil in the Lower Kenai Conglomerate (Hemlock) at Swanson River was the discovery of multiple-pay sandstone beds in the Middle Kenai Formation. These sandstone beds furnish an additional objective and have higher porosity and permeability than the Lower Kenai Conglomerate. Gas pay zones have been found in both the Middle Kenai and Upper Kenai sandstone zones. End_of_Article - Last_Page 2030------------

Developments in Alaska in 1964

Exploration in Alaska continued at a high level during 1964 with emphasis placed on the Cook Inlet basin and on the Arctic slope. More than nine crew-years of geophysical work were completed in seven Alaska basins or geologic provinces. The opening of new State and Federal lands for leasing on the Arctic slope has stimulated exploration in this area. Twenty-three exploratory wells were drilled during 1964, resulting in the discovery of two new gas fields, one new-pool extension of gas, and one new-pool extension of oil. Three of the discoveries were located in the Cook Inlet basin and one on the Arctic slope. State and Federal competitive land sales in 1964 resulted in offers of more than $17 million in bonuses for lands located primarily in the Cook Inlet basin and the Arctic slope. Exploration in the Copper River basin continued at a low rate and little exploration interest was shown in other interior basins in 1964. Development drilling is expected to increase during 1965 from the low of two completed wells in 1964. Exploration is expected to continue at 1963-64 levels during the coming year.

Developments in Alaska in 1963: ABSTRACT

Exploratory drilling decreased to 18 wells this year. Several of these were suspended for the winter and will presumably become active again in 1964. The most important thing that happened in 1963 was the discovery of oil by Shell et al. under the waters of Cook Inlet. Tests indicate that producing capacities of at least 600 BOD are possible. This is the first real encouragement the industry has been insofar as oil is concerned since Swanson River was discovered in 1957. The second most important thing that occurred was the high level of exploration on the Arctic slope. Five seismic crews operated during the year and a sixth was moving in at year's end. Ten operators did 29 crew-months of surface geology during the summer. The seismograph continues to be a popular tool in the Cook Inlet where nearly 4 crew-years of work were done. This work undoubtedly will manifest itself at future lease sales and in exploratory drilling. The Copper River basin seems to be going through a period of renewed interest by drilling, seismograph, and surface exploration. Two wells were completed and a third started. Three seismic crews were active and three operators had surface crews in the basin. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1767------------

Developments in Alaska in 1963

The most important thing that happened in 1963 was the discovery of oil by Shell et al. under the waters of Cook Inlet. Tests indicate producing capacities of at least 600 bo/d are possible. This is the first real encouragement the industry has seen insofar as oil is concerned since Swanson River was discovered in 1957. The second most important thing that occurred was the high level of exploration on the Arctic Slope. Five seismic crews operated during the year and a sixth was moving in at year's end. Ten operators did 29 crew-months of surface geology during the summer. Exploratory drilling decreased to 18 wells this year. Several of these were suspended for the winter and will presumably become active again in 1964. The seismograph continues to be a popular tool in the Cook Inlet where more than 4 crew-years of work were done. This work will undoubtedly manifest itself at future lease sales and in exploratory drilling. The Copper River basin seems to be going through a period of renewed interest by drilling, seismograph, and surface exploration. Two wells were completed and a third started. Three seismic crews were active and three operators had surface crews in the basin. Exploratory activity in the other basins was not spectacular. It remained constant, but at a low level in some and decreased in others. Over-all exploration for the state should increase the next few years, particularly in the Cook Inlet basin and on the Arctic Slope. The Bristol Bay and Copper River basins will probably be actively explored but not to the intensity anticipated elsewhere.

REVIEWS

Book reviewed in this article: Atlas of the British Flora. Edited by F. H. Perring and S. M. Walthrs. Handbuch der Pflanzenphysiologie: Encyclopedia of Plant Physiology. Vol. XIV: Growth and Growth Substances. Edited by W. Ruhland. Drawings of British Plants. Part XVII: Compositae (3). By Stella Ross‐Craig. Apical Meristems. By F. A. L. Clowes. Botanical Monographs, vol. 2. Edited by W. O. James. Cellular Regulatory Mechanisms. Cold Spring Harbor Symposia on Quantitative Biology Proceedings of the Summer School of Botany held June 2–15, 1960, at Darjeeling. Edited by P. Maheshwari, B. M. Johri and I. K. Vasil. Exotic Forest Trees in the British Commonwealth. By R. J. Streets. Edited by Sir Harry Champion. A Flora of the Alaskan Arctic Slope. By I. L. Wiggins and J. H. Thomas Grundzüge der Pflanzenanatomie. By B. Huber. Taschenbuch der Botanik. By H. Miehe. Revised by W. Mevius. A Conspectus of Aphids as Vectors of Plant Viruses. By J. S. Kennedy, M. F. Day and V. F. Eastop. Crop Adaptation and Distribution. By Carroll P. Wilsie. Flora of Cultivated Plants of the U.S.S.R. Vol. XIII: Perennial Leguminous Plants: Medicago, Melilotus and Trigonella. Edited by E. N. Sinskaya. Translated by N. Landau. Der Federsee. Edited by W. Zimmermann. Carbohydrate Resources within the Perennial Plant. By C. A. Priestley. Flora of the British Isles. By A. R. Clapham, T. G. Tutin and E. F. Warburg. Mineral Salts Absorption in Plants. By J. F. Sutcliffe. The Development of British Heathlands and their Soils. By G. W. Dimbleby. Annual Review of Plant Physiology, vol. 13. Edited by L. Machlis and W. R. Briggs.

Developments in Alaska in 1962

During 1962, 23 exploratory wells were drilled compared with 20 in 1961. Development wells decreased from 29 to 13. First offshore drilling commenced in 1962 from 2 barges and 1 platform in Cook Inlet basin and from 1 platform along the Alaska Peninsula. Offshore drilling in Cook Inlet was discontinued in November due to winter ice but will be resumed in early, spring. First wells were drilled on the west side of Cook Inlet. Three new gas fields were discovered during 1962 and 1 offshore gas blow-out was burning. No oil fields were found. A seismic crew was air-lifted to the Arctic (North) Slope and shooting commenced in the area east of Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 4. This is the first seismic work in the area since the U. S. Navy Department discontinued exploration in 1953. Seismic mapping increased from 73¼ crew-months in 1961 to 81¼ crew-months in 1962 with all of the increase due to offshore sparker-gas exploder work. Surface geologic exploration decreased 25.9%. An increase in surface geologic work and also seismic activity is expected in 1963. The Arctic (North) Slope is to receive the greatest increase. Exploratory drilling may show a slight decline and development drilling a continued decline.