The stability of the West Antarctic ice sheet (WAIS) is an issue of immediate global importance because the ice sheet contains enough water to raise sea level over 5 meters. If the ice sheet experiences a rapid collapse, the accompanying rapid rise in sea level will have dire consequences along coastlines worldwide. The urgency of assessing the stability of the WAIS is fueled by the recent discoveries made by the Siple Coast Project (SCP) of significant changes taking place in West Antarctica. However, the SCP has had a glaciological focus and has not properly assessed the important meteorological and oceanic effects. which play a major role in determining the behavior of the ice sheet and its impact on global climate. What is needed is a multi-disciplinary study of the WAIS where studies in all relevant disciplines are conducted. A plan to integrate these separate investigations is a necessary first step to achieving the goal of understanding the global role of the WAIS and its stability. What is proposed here is to bring together experts from the important polar disciplines for a workshop to formulate a rational plan for the study of the WAIS. The acronym SEARISE (Stability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Environment) has been chosen for this program because it provides an identifiable focus of public concern.
