A comprehensive visual and photographic record of a wide variety of auroral events was made from Spitsbergen during a prolonged period of clear weather that coincided with a remarkable resurgence in solar activity close to sunspot minimum. Using colour and interference-filter photography, the nature of the different auroral types was established and tentatively correlated with major flare events on the sun. At least three outstanding auroral substorms and three diffuse polar cap glows were generated by four large solar flares in the first half of February 1986. Many discrete polar cap aurorae were also observed in the same period.

In Alaska, development interests are pitted against conservationists on the question of whether the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge shall be opened to oil exploration. The area in question lies close to Prudhoe Bay's enormous reserves of petroleum and natural gas. It is also the primary calving ground for the Porcupine caribou herd of some 180,000 animals, and the public debate centres on how this herd, that migrates between Alaska and Canada, would be affected. The decision on opening the Arctic coastal plain to development will rest with the US Congress.

Archaeological investigations formed part of the conservation work of Project Blizzard in 1985–86 at the site of Mawson's Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911–14) huts, Cape Denison, Commonwealth Bay. The extent and nature of the archaeological resources are described, and the results of excavations inside the main hut in 1985 are summarized. Excavation stratigraphy is interpreted in the light of the documented post-abandonment history of the site, and used to measure the extent to which human activity inside the hut may be contributing to its deterioration.

In a botanical field survey of Ile de Croy, Iles Kerguelen, from 17 November to 14 December 1984, 14 of the 29 species of vascular plants known from the archipelago were recorded. None of the eight Kerguelen species of pteridophytes and no introduced species were present. Four major natural plant associations were identified. Notes are given on the habitats, distribution and ecology of each species, and comparisons are made with mainland Kerguelen and neighbouring subantarctic islands. The significance for conservation of this relatively undisturbed island is discussed.

Born in Neptune, N J USA of immigrant stock in 1891, Issac Schlossbach became a graduate of the US Naval Academy and a pioneer in naval submarines and aviation. Invalided from the navy after the loss of one eye, he served with Sir Hubert Wilkins in the Nautilus submarine expedition to the Arctic in 1931, with Richard Byrd in Antarctica in 1933–35, and as navigator, pilot or observer in eight further north and south polar expeditions, He made his final visit to Antarctica with Operation Deepfreeze in 1960–61 at the age of 70, dying in his home town after a long and active retirement in 1984.

Remains of three whaling stations on small islands south of Edgeøya, Svalbard, are described. They are believed to be British stations dating from the 17th century. Construction of tryworks and dwellings may represent an intermediate stage between that of Basque whaling stations in southern Labrador and of west European stations on the west coast of Spitsbergen.