The glacial extent and glacial advance/retreat asynchroncity in East Asia during Last Glaciation

doi:10.1360/gs050304

Abstract

Abstract:

New dates for last glacial cycle in Tibetan bordering mountains and in East Asia show the glacial extent during the early/middle (MIS3-4) stage is larger than that of the late stage (MIS2) in last glacial cycle. It is asynchronous with the Northern Hemisphere ice sheets maximum and changes in oceanic circulation that predominately control global climate. In research areas, three seasonal precipitation patterns control the accumulation and ablation of glaciers. The modes of the westerlies and the East Asian mountains/islands in and along the Pacific Ocean are favorable to glacier advance with mainly winter precipitation accumulation. There was a global temperature-decreasing phase in the middle stage (MIS3b, 54-44 ka BP), when the glacier extent was larger than that in Last Glaciation Maximum due to the low temperature combined with high moisture. It is revealed that the Quaternary glaciers not only evolved with localization, but also maybe with globalization. The latest studies show a fact that the developmental characteristics of glaciers in high mountains or islands along the western Pacific Ocean are not in accord with those inland areas. Therefore, it can be concluded that glacier development exhibits regional differences. The study validates the reasonableness of the asynchronous advance theory, and ascertains that both the synchronous and asynchronous advance/retreat of glaciers existed from 30 ka BP to 10 ka BP. It is not suitable to emphasize the synchronicity between global ice-volume and glacier change.

Key words: Last Glaciation, asynchronous advance, monsoon, glacial extent, East Asia

ZHANG Wei, CUI Zhijiu, LI Yonghua. The glacial extent and glacial advance/retreat asynchroncity in East Asia during Last Glaciation[J].Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2005, 15(3): 293-304.

References

[1] Arkhipov S A, Firsov L V, Panichev V A et al., 1973. New data on the stratigraphy and geochronology of the Middle Ob terraces. In: The Pleistocene of Siberia and Adjacent Areas. Moscow: Nauka, 21-34. (in Russia)

[2] Barnard P L, Owen L A, Finkel R C, 2004. Style and timing of glacial and paraglacial sedimentation in a monsoon-influenced high Himalayan environment, the upper Bhagirathi valley, Gavhwal Himalaya. Sedimentary Geology, 165(3-4): 199-221.

[3] Benn D I, Owen L A, 1998. The role of the Indian summer monsoon and the mid-latitude westerlies in Himalayan glaciation: review and speculative discussion. Journal of Geological Society, 155: 353-363.

[4] Cui Z J, Yang J F, Liu G N et al., 1999. Evidence of Quaternary glaciers in high mountains of Taiwan. Chinese Science Bulletin, 44(20): 2220-2224.

[5] Cui Z J, Yang J F, Liu G N et al., 2000. Monsoon development and glacier disappearance: from the point of view of glacier revolution features during Last Glaciation in Xueshan, Taiwan. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology, 22(1): 7-14. (in Chinese)

[6] Cui Z J, Yang C F, Liu G N et al., 2002. The Quaternary glaciation of Shesan Mountain in Taiwan and glacial classification in monsoon areas. Quaternary International, 97-98, 147-153.

[7] Ding L F, Kang X C, 1985. The influences of Qilianshan glaciers on climatic condition and characteristic of glacial development. Memories of Lanzhou Institute of Glaciology and Geocryology, CAS, Vol. 5. Beijing: Science Press, 9-15. (in Chinese)

[8] Finkel R C, Owen L A, Barnard P L et al., 2003. Beryllium-10 dating of Mount Everest moraines indicates a strong monsoonal influence and glacial synchroneity throughout the Himalaya. Geology, 31: 561-564.

[9] Gillespie A, Molnar P, 1995. Asynchronous maximum advances of mountain and continental glaciers. Reviews of Geophysics, 33(3): 311-365.

[10] Guo H W, Chen Y, Li J J, 1995. A preliminary study on the sequences of glaciers, loess records and terraces of the southern foothills of Lenglong Ling in Qilian Mountains. Journal of Lanzhou University, 31: 102-110. (in Chinese)

[11] Ju Y J, 2004. Glacial advance/retreat and climate change in the middle part of North-Tianshan. Doctoral Thesis, 34-37.

[12] Kerschner K, 1985. Quantitative paleoclimatic inferences from late glacial snowline, timberline and rock glacial data, Tyrolean Alps Australia. Zeitschrift Gletscherkunde und Geologies, 21: 363-369.

[13] Kind N V, 1972. Late Quaternary climatic changes and glacial events in the old and new world. In: Radiocarbon Chronology, Section 12, 24th I.G.C., 55-61.

[14] Kuang M S, Zhao W C, 1997. ESR dating research on depositional layer during late Pleistocene in Diancang mountain, Dali, Yunnan province, China. Yunnan Geographic Environment Research, 1: 49-57. (in Chinese)

[15] Li B Y, Li J J, 1991. Glacial Remains Distributional Map of Quaternary Glaciation in Tibetan Plateau. Beijing: Science Press. (in Chinese)

[16] Li J J, Wen S X, Zhang Q S et al., 1979. A discussion on the period, amplitude and type of uplift of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Science in China, (6): 608-616.

[17] Li J J, 1992. Glacial relics of monsoonal Asia in the Last Glaciation. Quaternary Sciences, (4): 332-339. (in Chinese)

[18] Ono Y, 1984. Last glacial paleoclimate reconstructed from glacial and periglacial landforms in Japan. Geographical Review of Japan (Series B), 57(1): 87-100.

[19] Ono Y, 1991. Glacial and periglacial paleoenvironments in the Japanese Islands. Daiyonki-Kenkyu (The Quaternary Research), 30: 203-211.

[20] Ono Y, Naruse T, 1997. Snowline elevation and eolian dust flux in the Japanese islands during isotope stage 2 and stage 4. Quaternary International, 37: 45-54.

[21] Owen L A, Kamp U, Spencer J Q et al., 2002. Timing and style of late Quaternary glaciation in the eastern Hindu Kush, Chitral, northern Pakistan: a review and revision of the glacial chronology based on new optically stimulated luminescence dating. Quaternary International, 97-98: 41-45.

[22] Phillips W M, Sloan V E, Shroder J F et al., 2000. Asynchronous glaciation at Nanga Parbat, North Himalaya Mountains, Pakistan. Geology, 28: 431-434.

[23] Richards B W, Owen L A, Rhodes E J, 2000. Timing of late Quaternary glaciations in the Himalayas of northern Pakistan. Journal of Quaternary Science, 15: 283-297.

[24] Rost K T, 1994. Paleoclimatic field studies in and along the Qinling-shan (central China). Geojournal, 34(1): 107-120.

[25] Sch?fer J M, Tschudi S, Zhao Z Z et al., 2001. The limited influence of glaciations in Tibet on global climate over the past 170000 yr. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 194: 287-297.

[26] Shi Y F, Cui Z J, Li J J et al., 1989. Problems of Quaternary Glaciation and Environment in China. Beijing: Science Press, 1-364.

[27] Shi Y F, 2002. Characteristics of late Quaternary monsoon glaciation on the Tibetan Plateau and in East Asia, Quaternary International, 97/98: 79-91.

[28] Shi Y F, Yao T D, 2002. MIS3b (54-44ka BP) cold period and glacial advance in middle and low latitudes. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology, 24(1): 1-9. (in Chinese)

[29] Su Z, 1984. Discussing about the Quaternary glacial problems of Lushan from the results of modern glaciers in China. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology, 6(2): 141-153. (in Chinese)

[30] Tsukada M, 1967. Vegetation in subtropical Formosa paleo-climate. Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology, 7(3): 49-64.

[31] Velichko A A, Konono Y M, Faustova M A et al., 1997. The last glaciation of earth: size and volume of ice-sheets. Quaternary International, 41/42: 43-51.

[32] Wang J T, 1981. Ancient glaciers at the head of Urumqi River, Tian Shan. Journal of Glaciology and Cryopedology, 3: 55-63. (in Chinese)

[33] Wu X H, 1985. Some problems about the glacial remains and the glacial developmental condition. In: Proceedings of the Chinese Quaternary Glacial and Periglacial Symposium. Beijing: Science Press, 143-148. (in Chinese)

[34] Xie C L, Jian Z M, Zhao Q H et al., 1996. The paleogeographic configuration of China seas and its climatic influence during the Last Glacial Maximum. Quaternary Sciences, (2): 1-9. (in Chinese)

[35] Yi C L, Liu K X, Cui Z J, 1998. AMS dating on glacial tills at the source area of Urumqi River in the Tianshan Mountains and its implications. Chinese Science Bulletin, 43: 1749-1751.

[36] Yi C L, Jiao K Q, Liu K X et al., 2001, ESR dating on tills and the Last Glaciation at the headwaters of the Urumqi river, Tianshan Mountains, China. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology, 23(4): 389-393. (in Chinese)

[37] Zhang W, Cui Z J, 2003. Glaciation sequences of the Last Glaciation in Gongwangshan and Jiaozishan Mountain in northeastern Yunnan Province. Research of Soil and Water Conservation, 10(3): 94-96. (in Chinese)

[38] Zhao J D, Zhou S Z, Shi Z T et al., 2001. ESR dating of glacial tills of Baishuihe River on the southern slope of Lenglongling in the eastern part of Qilian Mountains. Journal of Lanzhou University, 37: 110-117. (in Chinese)

[39] Zhao J D, Zhou S Z, Cui J X et al., 2002. ESR dating of glacial tills at the headwaters of the Urumqi River in the Tianshan Mountains. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology, 24: 737-743. (in Chinese)