The present volume is an outgrowth from, but not a complete record of, the American Association for the Advancement of Science symposium held in Colorado. Eleven of the 15 papers listed at the symposium are included. Ten additional papers were written later especially for the volume. After the symposium, some of the papers were translated, and many were extensively rewritten in order to present the subject with more clarity.

The present volume represents 46 authors from five countries. Dust is discussed on an interplanetary scale; areas included are the United States, Africa, the U.S.S.R., China, the West Indies, and Mars.

The volume has three major subdivisions: The first group of papers discusses the origin of desert dust from the standpoint of the source areas as well as meteorological requirements.

The second group of papers deal with physical characteristics of the dust; several papers consider the distance of dust transport and present data showing that some dust is global in distribution.

The third group of papers concerns the effect of desert dust on man, from its influences on climate and agriculture to its importance in pollution.