Last glaciation and maximum glaciation in the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau: A controversy to M. Kuhle’s ice sheet hypothesis |
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Authors: | Yafeng Shi Benxing Zheng Shijie Li |
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Affiliation: | (1) Lanzhou Institute of Glaciology and Geocryology, CAS, 730000 Lanzhou, PRC |
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Abstract: | Since the late 1950’s, many Chinese scientists have explored the remains of the Quaternary glaciation in the Qinghai-Xizang
(Tibet) Plateau and its surrounding mountains. In the main, 3–4 glaciations have been recognized. The largest one occurred
in the Late Middle Pleistocene with piedmont glaciers, ice caps and trellis valley glaciers in many high peak regions. But
here is no evidence of a unified ice sheet covering the whole plateau as described by M. Kuhle. Due to the further uplifting
of the Himalayas and Qinghai-Xizang Plateau the climate became progressively driver, diminishing the extension of glaciers
during the Late Pleistocene. The elevation of the snow line during the Last Glaciation was about 4,000 m on the south, east
and northeast edges of the plateau and ascended to 5500 m on the hinder northwest of the plateau. The thermal effect of the
big plateau massif, the sharp increase of aridity from the southeast rim to the northwest inland area and the abrupt decrease
of precipitation during the Ice Age largely account for the distribution of the Quaternary glaciers in the Qinghai-Xizang
Plateau. The neglect of Chinese literature may be one of the causes accounting for M. Kuhle’s misinterpretation on the environment
of the Quaternary glaciations in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. |
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Keywords: | Quaternary glaciation dispersed mountain glaciers the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau |
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