Timing of glaciation and last glacial maximum paleoclimate estimates from the Fish Lake Plateau, Utah

The High Plateaus of Utah include seven separate mountain ranges that supported glaciers during the Pleistocene. The Fish Lake Plateau, located on the eastern edge of the High Plateaus, preserves evidence of at least two glacial advances. Four cosmogenic ³He exposure ages of boulders in an older moraine range from 79 to 159 ka with a mean age of 129 ± 39 ka and oldest ages of 152 ± 3 and 159 ± 5 ka. These ages suggest deposition during the type Bull Lake glaciation and Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage (MIS) 6. Twenty boulder exposure ages from four different younger moraines indicate a local last glacial maximum (LGM) of ~ 21.1 ka, coincident with the type Pinedale glaciation and MIS 2. Reconstructed Pinedale-age glaciers from the Fish Lake Plateau have equilibrium-line altitudes ranging from 2950 to 3190 m. LGM summer temperature depressions for the Fish Lake Plateau range from −10.7 to −8.2°C, assuming no change in precipitation. Comparison of the Fish Lake summer temperature depressions to a regional dataset suggests that the Fish Lake Plateau may have had a slight increase (~ 1.5× modern) in precipitation during the LGM. A series of submerged ridges in Fish Lake were identified during a bathymetric survey and are likely Bull Lake age moraines.     

Cosmogenic radionuclide evidence for the limited extent of last glacial maximum glaciers in the Tanggula Shan of the central Tibetan Plateau

Cosmogenic radionuclide (CRN) exposure ages provide evidence for the limited extent of last glacial maximum glaciers in the Tanggula Shan, central Tibetan Plateau. The most extensive advances occurred during or before marine oxygen isotope stage 6 (MIS-6) based on previous CRN exposure ages. The second most extensive advance occurred during or before MIS-4 based on previous ages and new ages of 41,400 ± 4300, and 66,800 ± 7100 ¹⁰Be yr. A MIS-2 advance of less than 3 km occurred between 31,900 ± 3400 and 16,000 ± 1700 ¹⁰Be yr.     

Last glacial maximum climate inferences from cosmogenic dating and glacier modeling of the western Uinta ice field, Uinta Mountains, Utah

During the last glacial maximum (LGM), the western Uinta Mountains of northeastern Utah were occupied by the Western Uinta Ice Field. Cosmogenic ¹⁰Be surface-exposure ages from the terminal moraine in the North Fork Provo Valley and paired ²⁶Al and ¹⁰Be ages from striated bedrock at Bald Mountain Pass set limits on the timing of the local LGM. Moraine boulder ages suggest that ice reached its maximum extent by 17.4 ± 0.5 ka (± 2σ). ¹⁰Be and ²⁶Al measurements on striated bedrock from Bald Mountain Pass, situated near the former center of the ice field, yield a mean ²⁶Al/¹⁰Be ratio of 5.7 ± 0.8 and a mean exposure age of 14.0 ± 0.5 ka, which places a minimum-limiting age on when the ice field melted completely. We also applied a mass/energy-balance and ice-flow model to investigate the LGM climate of the western Uinta Mountains. Results suggest that temperatures were likely 5 to 7°C cooler than present and precipitation was 2 to 3.5 times greater than modern, and the western-most glaciers in the range generally received more precipitation when expanding to their maximum extent than glaciers farther east. This scenario is consistent with the hypothesis that precipitation in the western Uintas was enhanced by pluvial Lake Bonneville during the last glaciation.     

Late Quaternary glacial chronology on Nevado Illimani, Bolivia, and the implications for paleoclimatic reconstructions across the Andes

¹⁰Be terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide surface exposure ages from moraines on Nevado Illimani, Cordillera Real, Bolivia suggest that glaciers retreated from moraines during the periods 15.5-13.0 ka, 10.0-8.5 ka, and 3.5-2.0 ka. Late glacial moraines at Illimani are associated with an ELA depression of 400-600 m, which is consistent with other local reconstructions of late glacial ELAs in the Eastern Cordillera of the central Andes. A comparison of late glacial ELAs between the Eastern Cordillera and Western Cordillera indicates a marked change toward flattening of the east-to-west regional ELA gradient. This flattening is consistent with increased precipitation from the Pacific during the late glacial period.     

Cosmogenic nuclide chronology of pre-last glacial maximum moraines at Lago Buenos Aires, 46°S, Argentina

At Lago Buenos Aires, Argentina, ¹⁰Be, ²⁶Al, and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages range from 190,000 to 109,000 yr for two moraines deposited prior to the last glaciation, 23,000–16,000 yr ago. Two approaches, maximum boulder ages assuming no erosion, and the average age of all boulders and an erosion rate of 1.4 mm/10³ yr, both yield a common estimate age of 150,000–140,000 yr for the two moraines. The erosion rate estimate derives from ¹⁰Be and ²⁶Al concentrations in old erratics, deposited on moraines that are >760,000 yr old on the basis of interbedded ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dated lavas. The new cosmogenic ages indicate that a major glaciation during marine oxygen isotope stage 6 occurred in the mid-latitude Andes. The next five youngest moraines correspond to stage 2. There is no preserved record of a glacial advance during stage 4. The distribution of dated boulders and their ages suggest that at least one major glaciation occurred between 760,000 and >200,000 yr ago. The mid-latitude Patagonian glacial record, which is well preserved because of low erosion rates, indicates that during the last two glacial cycles major glaciations in the southern Andes have been in phase with growth and decay of Northern Hemisphere ice sheets, especially at the 100,000 yr periodicity. Thus, glacial maxima are global in nature and are ultimately paced by small changes in Northern Hemisphere insolation.     

Chronology of latest Pleistocene mountain glaciation in the western Wasatch Mountains, Utah, U.S.A.

Understanding the timing of mountain glacier and paleolake expansion and retraction in the Great Basin region of the western United States has important implications for regional-scale climate change during the last Pleistocene glaciation. The relative timing of mountain glacier maxima and the well-studied Lake Bonneville highstand has been unclear, however, owing to poor chronological limits on glacial deposits. Here, this problem is addressed by applying terrestrial cosmogenic ¹⁰Be exposure dating to a classic set of terminal moraines in Little Cottonwood and American Fork Canyons in the western Wasatch Mountains. The exposure ages indicate that the main phase of deglaciation began at 15.7 ± 1.3 ka in both canyons. This update to the glacial chronology of the western Wasatch Mountains can be reconciled with previous stratigraphic observations of glacial and paleolake deposits in this area, and indicates that the start of deglaciation occurred during or at the end of the Lake Bonneville hydrologic maximum. The glacial chronology reported here is consistent with the growing body of data suggesting that mountain glaciers in the western U.S. began retreating as many as 4 ka after the start of northern hemisphere deglaciation (at ca. 19 ka).     

The post to late glacial valley reconstruction on the Haramosh north side (Mani, Baska and Phuparash valleys)

The post to late glacial valley reconstruction is focused on the Mani- Baska and Phuparash valleys on the Rakaposhi- Haramosh Muztagh in the south Karakoram. The recently glaciated valleys join the Indus valley near Sassi at 1500 m. The knowledge of the tributary valley reconstruction can be seen in the context of the scientific discussion about the extent of glaciation along the main Indus valley. Today, the recent avalanche fed glaciers come down from high lying catchment areas with an average altitude of 6700–6800 m and terminate at 2700 m. Snow line runs at 4700–4800 m in the steep flanks which is common in the Karakoram Mountains. The postglacial extent is marked by the great lateral moraine (GLM) and reached down not more than 2.5–5 km away from the recent glaciers with a calculated snow line depression of 300 m in maximum. It can be shown that the valleys were already glaciated during the lastest Late Glacial down to the valley outlet at 1500 m. The snow line was depressed 600–700 m during that period. A high glacial ice filling of the Haramosh valley and glacial erosion of the flat top of the Darchan ridge as an intermediate valley head is strongly probable.     

Cosmogenic nuclide constraints on glacial chronology in the source area of the Urumqi River,Tian Shan,China

Cosmogenic nuclide surface exposure dating of boulders and erratics provides new constraints for a glacial chronology in the source area of the Urumqi River, Tian Shan, China. ¹⁰Be exposure ages of 15.0 ± 1.3–17.1 ± 1.5 ka from the Upper Wangfeng (UWF) moraines agree well with their previous relative age assignments to marine isotope stage (MIS) 2, but are younger than published AMS ¹⁴C and electron spin resonance (ESR) ages (from 22.8 ± 0.6 to 37.4 ka). This difference may result from variations in techniques, or could reflect the impact of surface erosion and sediment/snow cover on surface exposure dating. ¹⁰Be ages from the Lower Wangfeng (LWF) moraines (18.7 ± 1.8 and 16.2 ± 1.5 ka) are indistinguishable from the UWF exposure ages, but are significantly younger than previously reported thermoluminescence (TL) and ESR ages (37.7 ± 2.6–184.7 ± 18 ka). Either these two groups were formed during the same period (MIS 2) and there are problems with TL and ESR ages, or the moraines were of very different ages and the similar exposure ages result from different degrees of degradation. Erratics on rock steps and a drumlin along >8 km of the main glacial valley above the UWF have internally consistent and slightly decreasing ¹⁰Be exposure ages indicating glacier retreat >2.5 m a^?1 after MIS 2 and before middle or late Holocene glacier re‐advances. This retreat rate is similar to rates observed from modern glaciers. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

50,000 years of vegetation and climate history on the Colorado Plateau, Utah and Arizona, USA

Sixty packrat middens were collected in Canyonlands and Grand Canyon National Parks, and these series include sites north of areas that produced previous detailed series from the Colorado Plateau. The exceptionally long time series obtained from each of three sites (> 48,000 ¹⁴C yr BP to present) include some of the oldest middens yet discovered. Most middens contain a typical late-Wisconsinan glaciation mixture of mesic and xeric taxa, evidence that plant species responded to climate change by range adjustments of elevational distribution based on individual criteria. Differences in elevational range from today for trees and shrubs ranged from no apparent change to as much as 1200 m difference. The oldest middens from Canyonlands NP, however, differ in containing strictly xeric assemblages, including middens incorporating needles of Arizona single-leaf pinyon, far north of its current distribution. Similar-aged middens from the eastern end of Grand Canyon NP contain plants more typical of glacial climates, but also contain fossils of one-seed juniper near its current northern limit in Arizona. Holocene middens reveal the development of modern vegetation assemblages on the Colorado Plateau, recording departures of mesic taxa from low elevation sites, and the arrival of modern dominant components much later.     

Cosmogenic nuclide exposure ages for moraines in the Lago San Martin Valley, Argentina

At several times during the Quaternary, a major eastward-flowing outlet glacier of the former Patagonian Ice Sheet occupied the Lago San Martin Valley in Argentina (49°S, 72°W). We present a glacial chronology for the valley based on geomorphological mapping and cosmogenic nuclide (¹⁰Be) exposure ages (n = 10) of boulders on moraines and lake shorelines. There are five prominent moraine belts in the Lago San Martin Valley, associated with extensive sandar (glaciofluvial outwash plains) and former lake shorelines. Cosmogenic nuclide exposure ages for boulders on these moraines indicate that they formed at 14.3 ± 1.7 ka, 22.4 ± 2.3 ka, 34.4 ± 3.4 ka to 37.6 ± 3.4 ka (and possibly 60 ± 3.5 ka), and 99 ± 11 ka (1σ). These dated glacier advances differ from published chronologies from the Lago San Martin Valley based on ¹⁴C age determinations from organic sediments and molluscs in meltwater channels directly in front of moraines or in kettleholes within end moraine ridges. The moraine boulder ages also point to possible pre-LGM glacial advances during the last glacial cycle and a key observation from our data is that the LGM glaciers were probably less extensive in the Lago San Martin Valley than previously thought.     

Numerical simulation of the paleohydrology of glacial Lake Oshkosh, eastern Wisconsin, USA

Proglacial lakes, formed during retreat of the Laurentide ice sheet, evolved quickly as outlets became ice-free and the earth deformed through glacial isostatic adjustment. With high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) and GIS methods, it is possible to reconstruct the evolution of surface hydrology. When a DEM deforms through time as predicted by our model of viscoelastic earth relaxation, the entire surface hydrologic system with its lakes, outlets, shorelines and rivers also evolves without requiring assumptions of outlet position. The method is applied to proglacial Lake Oshkosh in Wisconsin (13,600 to 12,900 cal yr BP). Comparison of predicted to observed shoreline tilt indicates the ice sheet was about 400 m thick over the Great Lakes region. During ice sheet recession, each of the five outlets are predicted to uplift more than 100 m and then subside approximately 30 m. At its maximum extent, Lake Oshkosh covered 6600 km² with a volume of 111 km³. Using the Hydrologic Engineering Center-River Analysis System model, flow velocities during glacial outburst floods up to 9 m/s and peak discharge of 140,000 m³/s are predicted, which could drain 33.5 km³ of lake water in 10 days and transport boulders up to 3 m in diameter.     

Stratigraphic evidence for multiple drainings of glacial Lake Missoula along the Clark Fork River, Montana, USA

Glacial Lake Missoula, a source of Channeled Scabland flood waters, inundated valleys of northwest Montana to altitudes of ∼ 1265 m and to depths of  >600 m, as evidenced by shorelines and silty lacustrine deposits. This study describes previously unrecognized catastrophic lake-drainage deposits that lie stratigraphically beneath the glacial-lake silts. The unconsolidated gravelly flood alluvium contains imbricated boulder-sized clasts, cross-stratified gravel with slip-face heights of 2-> 35 m, and 70- to 100-m-high gravel bars which all indicate a high-energy, high-volume alluvial environment. Gravel bars and high scablands were formed by catastrophic draining of one or possibly more early, high lake stands (1200-1265 m). Most glacial-lake silt, such as the Ninemile section, was deposited stratigraphically above the earlier deposits, represents a lower lake stand(s) (1050-1150 m), and was not deposited in lake(s) responsible for the highest discharge events. The glaciolacustrine silt-covered benches are incised by relict networks of valleys formed during the drainage of the last glacial lake. Significant erosion associated with the last lake draining was confined to the inner Clark Fork River canyon.     

雅鲁藏布江大拐弯地区末次冰期以来的冰川活动证据及其构造—环境意义

本文重点讨论雅鲁藏布江大拐弯入口地区末次冰期以来冰川活动的地貌学、14C和10Be定年结果及其构造—环境意义。在海拔3,200m的观景台发现距今24～18ka的冰砾阜,说明末次盛冰期时大拐弯入口地区有大规模的冰川下移现象,并阻塞了雅鲁藏布江主河道,形成堰塞湖,暗示雅鲁藏布江在末次盛冰期时已经下切到与目前接近的深度。在海拔3,150m的打林村阶地,其4级阶地上的砾石10Be暴露年龄显示该阶地形成于距今9.0～8.7ka的末次冰期与新冰期之间的间冰期,意味着这一期间则隆弄冰川再次下移导致阻江。近60年来则隆弄冰川3次跃动,两度阻江,是20世纪3次气候突变的表征。雅鲁藏布江大拐弯入口地区末次盛冰期以来的冰川进退历史对气候变化有良好的指示作用,该历史与大拐弯入口地区的构造地质背景有密切的联系。     

New radiometric and geomorphologic evidences of a last glacial maximum older than 18 ka in SW European mountains: the example of Redes Natural Park (Cantabrian Mountains,NW Spain)

Abstract

The first numerical age determinations from radiocarbon dating establish the chronology of glacial events in Redes Natural Park (Cantabrian Mountain, NW Spain). A core drilled in an ice-dammed deposit provided a minimum age of 28 990 ± 230 years BP for the maximum glacial expansion (phase I). Another core from a cirque bottom-fill provided organic sediment with 20 640 ± 300 years BP, a minimum age for the first glacial retreat (phase II). Radiometric dating of proglacial deposits interpreted as synchronous with the last glacial maximum phase in neighbouring Cornelia basin (Picos de Europa), yield ages of 40 480 ± 820 years BP. The chronological data presented in this work are consistent with the model of glacier evolution established in the Pyrénées, with a glacial maximum phase for the last glacial period older than 18 ka. © 2002 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS. AU rights reserved.     

青藏高原西北部晚第四纪以来的隆升作用 ——来自西昆仑阿什库勒多级河流阶地的证据

青藏高原的隆升是新生代最壮观的地质事件,关于青藏高原隆升研究一直是地学界的研究焦点.河流阶地的发育记录了丰富的构造运动和气候变化的信息,近年来被广泛应用于构造运动和气候演变的研究,但前人研究的河流阶地基本分布在青藏高原的周缘,阶地的形成可能是气候与构造运动共同作用的结果.本文通过高分辨率卫星影像的解译,在青藏高原内部的西昆仑阿什库勒地区发现了多达七级的河流阶地.对该处河流阶地结构、沉积特征、几何特征的研究表明该阶地是典型的构造成因阶地.野外利用全站仪对河流阶地地貌形态进行了精细的测量,获得了各级阶地的拔河高度分别为4～5m(T1)、9～ 10m(T2)、16 ～ 18m(T3)、28～31m(T4)、45～48m(T5).通过宇宙成因核素10Be测年方法对各级阶地面的暴露年龄进行了测定,获得了各级阶地的形成时代分别为7.7±0.7ka(T1)、32.7±3.lka (T2)、53.6±2.5ka(T3)、115.7±23.2ka(T4)、166.8±10.4ka (T5)、19.5±8.5ka (T6).由此确定了晚第四纪166.8ka以来不同时期的河流下切速率总体介于0.2～0.35mm/yr,该速率代表了青藏高原西北部晚第四纪166.8ka以来的平均隆升速率.     

Evidence for a 55-50 ka (early Wisconsin) glaciation of the Cordilleran ice sheet, Yukon Territory, Canada

Cosmogenic ¹⁰Be ages on boulders of 54-51 ka (n = 4) on a penultimate Cordilleran ice sheet (CIS) drift confirm that Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage (MIS) 4 (early Wisconsin) glaciation was extensive in parts of Yukon Territory, the first confirmed evidence in the Canadian Cordillera. We name the glaciation inferred from the mapped and dated drift the Gladstone. These results are in apparent contrast to the MIS 6 (Illinoian) age of the penultimate Reid glaciation to the east in central Yukon but are equivalent to exposure ages on MIS 4 drift in Alaska. Contrasting penultimate ice extents in Yukon requires that different source areas of the northern CIS in Yukon responded differently to climatic forcing during glaciations. The variation in glacier extent for different source areas likely relates to variation in precipitation during glaciation, as the northern CIS was a precipitation-limited system. Causes for a variation in precipitation remain unclear but likely involve the style of precipitation delivery over the St. Elias Mountains possibly related to variations in the Aleutian low.     

Influence of a glacial buzzsaw on the height and morphology of the Cascade Range in central Washington State, USA

Analysis of climatic and topographic evidence from the Cascade Range of Washington State indicates that glacial erosion limits the height and controls the morphology of this range. Glacial erosion linked to long-term spatial gradients in the ELA created a tilted, planar zone of 373 cirques across the central part of the range; peaks and ridges now rise ≤600 m above this zone. Hypsometric analysis of the region shows that the proportion of land area above the cirques drops sharply, and mean slopes >30° indicate that the areas above the cirques may be at or near threshold steepness. The mean plus 1σ relief of individual cirque basins (570 m) corresponds to the ∼600-m envelope above which peaks rarely rise. The summit altitudes are set by a combination of higher rates of glacial and paraglacial erosion above the ELA and enhanced hillslope processes due to the creation of steep topography. On the high-precipitation western flank of the Cascades, the dominance of glacial and hillslope erosion at altitudes at and above the ELA may explain the lack of a correspondence between stream-power erosion models and measured exhumation rates from apatite (U-Th/He) thermochronometry.     

美国Paradox盆地盐构造新生代的拉伸活化

美国科罗拉多高原Paradox盆地中的裂口盐墙和盐背斜,主要是在古生界和中生界沉积物的差异负载作用下发育起来的。盐构造顶部的平缓褶皱,通常被认为是晚白垩纪至古新世拉腊米挤压运动的产物,而其脊顶地堑与山谷,则被认为是挤压后的松弛拉伸及盐溶作用所造成的。基于野外调查、物理模拟以及现代盐构造学理论,研究认为这些平缓褶皱和脊顶地堑,主要是新生代始新世至渐新世北北东向区域拉伸作用的产物。因为岩盐较其围岩软弱,拉伸形变主要集中在早先形成的盐墙、盐背斜及其较薄的顶板中,使盐构造发生活化并形成新的拉伸构造。顶板中的拉伸构造主要包括正断层、地堑、断层滑移(断滑)褶皱以及滚动褶皱。由于区域拉伸方向斜交盐构造走向,断层分布多呈羽列状。在母盐层较厚地区,拉伸使盐刺穿在正断层之下次动上升;而在母盐层较薄地区,拉伸使盐刺穿下降。在初始盐刺穿较高地区,盐构造的侧翼下降;而在初始盐刺穿较低地区,盐构造整体下降。拉伸使盐刺穿变宽,脊顶地堑下沉,形成拉伸型下降盐刺穿特征性的尖角盐体构造。局部地区,盐体从破碎的顶板间溢出,覆盖了下沉的脊顶地堑。     

MIS 3时期青藏高原东南部稻城古冰帽冰进事件研究

深海氧同位素3阶段（Marine Isotope Stage 3,MIS 3）是全球气候演化过程中特殊的时期,对深入认识区域古气候、古环境演变具有重要意义。青藏高原东南部稻城古冰帽是第四纪冰川作用历史和古气候研究的理想区域,许多学者在该区进行了冰川地貌学和年代学研究。目前,该区域在MIS 3阶段是否存在冰川前进事件仍存在争论。现着重从洞穴石笋、高原冰芯、海洋沉积、古湖孢粉等记录来总结我国MIS 3阶段的气候环境状况,并搜集高原及周边地区MIS 3阶段冰进事件的记录,结合稻城古冰帽区已发表的MIS 3阶段的年代数据来探讨稻城古冰帽区MIS 3阶段的冰川前进的可能性。结果表明：稻城古冰帽区MIS 3阶段（43~53 ka）发生了大规模冰进事件,这可能是由于该冰帽区处于相对冷湿环境且受到了西南季风的影响。本研究可为区域气候重建与环境演变提供新的依据。