Antarctic Map Folio Series

This article reports on three advances in Antarctic research. First, the American Geographical Society is compiling an Antarctic Map Folio Series; the bedrock geology folio, nearing publication, includes 18 regional maps by 24 geologists from 8 nations plus a continental map. Second, a folio on circumpolar characteristics of Antarctic waters, covering all ocean areas south of 40°S, presents temperature, salinity, oxygen, and sound velocity distributions. Third, a bird folio documents sighting and breeding records for about 50 species. Additionally, the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names approved 369 new names in 1969 and updated the gazetteer listing 10,000 names. Finally, the Smithsonian Oceanographic Sorting Center has processed over 8,000 Antarctic biological samples over six years, though recent collections have declined.