MARINE GEOGRAPHICAL STUDIES OF THE PACIFIC-INSTITUTE-OF-GEOGRAPHY OF THE FAR-EAST-BRANCH OF RUSSIAN-ACADEMY-OF-SCIENCES

The goal of the Pacific Institute of Geography is to conduct studies o f structure, function, and dynamics on a variety of coastal and marine geosystem hierarchies. The following scientific research programs are being investigated by the Institute: complex studies of oceans and se as, the Arctic, and Antarctic; the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) project, paleogeographical mapping of the Eastern Asian seas; the N 7 project M an and Biosphere United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural O rganization (MAB UNESCO), ecology and rational use of island ecosystem s; as well as other projects. In addition, the seas of East Asia, Paci fic, Indian, and Arctic Oceans are under study. Data on previous geogr aphical studies of seas and oceans are published in the seven-volume m onograph, The Geography of the Ocean. The Pacific Institute's staff cu rrently also is conducting paleogeographic, geomorphic, geochemic, and underwater landscape studies of some of the Pacific seas. Examples an d summary of investigations are set forth below.