Geomorphological findings on the build-up of pleistocene glaciation in Southern Tibet and on the problem of inland ice —

Summary The last Ice Age (Würm) glacier cover was reconstructed on the basis of standard geomorphological indicators in S Tibet between the S slope and N slope of the Himalaya by way of the Tibetan Himalaya to the Transhimalaya (28° – 29° 50' N/85° 40' – 91° 10' E). At the same time, though subject to varying density of data, the process of Late and Post-Glacial deglaciation to Neo-Galacial and Recent glacier cover was considered. Evidence of an almost total glaciation of S Tibet was found in indicators like glaciated knobs, trough valleys with pronounced flank polishings and limits of glacial scouring on nunataks, as well as in findings of erratics, lateral moraines, end moraines, and terraces of outwash plains. This total glaciation took the form of an ice-stream network and attained a thickness of at least 1200 m. Ice-free to about 87° – 86° E, the Tsangpo valley with its sander deposits occupied the gap between the glacier areas of the Tibetan and High Himalayas in the S (I 3) and those of the Transhimalaya in the N (I 2). In the light of recently glaciated Late Glacial terminal moraines and ice marginal rapms it has been possible to estimate a glacio-isostatic uplift of c. 400 m during 10 x 10³ years (an average of 40 mm/year) following deglaciation. It is about 3 to 8 times greater than the tectonic uplift of the High Himalaya. The post-glacially intensified uplift of the S Tibetan Plateau by comparison with the High Himalaya is attributed to the much greater glacier burden during the Ice Age.In the area under investigation a High Glacial ELA depression (equilibrium line altitude depr.) of at least 1200 (1180) m was reconstructed for a mean altitude of about 4700 (4716) m asl. Assuming constant hygric conditions and a gradient of 0.7° C/100 m, the temperature drop at the time would have been 8.4° C. Since precipitation during the Ice Age must, if anything, have been less, a drop in summer temperature of about 10° C may be regarded as probable.     

Quantificational reductionism as a risk in geography and cartography

A reductionistic concept is being pursued in the 125 000 geomorphological mapping of the Federal Republic of Germany. Complex landscape elements with a base length greater than 100 m are broken down into partial elements and re-interpreted in terms of quantificational or abstractly defined, theoretically neutral map symbols. The genetic aspect is expressed by areal colouring. In this way it aims to achieve an interdisciplinary utilization of such information. This reduction has proved to be too drastic insofar as it gives rise to irretrievable loss of information. The claim that use-oriented, ecologically relevant information would be derivable from the GMM-25 has not been substantiated. As ecologically justifiable evaluation must also consider as its most fundamental indicators the quality and distribution of biotopes. These are not even rudimentarily included in the GMM-25. The uncontextualized blending of information units which only make sense in heterogeneous contexts to produce a single map is antithetical to the principle of subject related selection of relevant characteristics and prevents comprehension of the systematic relationships.The underlying concept of the GMM-25, derived from an uncritical incorporation of physico-mathematical total predictability principles, leads to an irreversible renunciation of the necessarily complex constituents of a high geomorphological level of integration.     

Comparison of meteorological observations at Mt. Everest and K2: Examples of the 1984 and 1986 expedition

Summary Meteorological observations in the eastern part of the Himalayas (Tibetan side of Shisha Pangma and of Mt. Everest, 1984) are compared with observations of the Karakoram (north side of K2, 1986). Both sites are characterized by different weather patterns within the global circulation. This is evident also in the expedition data obtained during September and October 1984 and 1986. Temperature gradients and the development of the daily wind system of the two areas are shown.With 6 Figures     

Reconstruction of the Ice Age Glaciation in the Southern Slopes of Mt. Everest, Cho 0yu, Lhotse and Makalu （Himalaya） （Part 2）

Editorial Note： The first section of this article was published in June 2006 （cf. pages 91-124 in No. 2, Vol. 3）, and the publishing here is its sequel, which includes 22 Figures （i.e. Figures 9-30）. two photos （Photo I and 2） and one table （i.e. Table 7）. The figures before No.9 mentioned in the text of this part were published in previous issue, and please refer to them while reading. We sincerely apologize to you for any inconvenience this arrangement may have caused you.     

Critical Approach to Methods of Glacier Reconstruction in High Asia and Discussion of the Probability of a Qinghai-Xizang （Tibetan） Inland Ice

This overview discusses old and new results as to the controversy on the past glacier extension in High Asia, which has been debated for 35 years now. This paper makes an attempt to come closer to a solution. H.v. Wissmann's interpretation (1959) of a small-scale glaciation contrasts with M. Kuhle's reconstruction (1974) of a large-scale glaciation with a 2.4 million km2 extended Qinghai-Xizang (Tibetan) inland glaciation and a Himalaya-Karakorum icestream network. Both opinions find support but also contradiction in the International and Chinese literature (Academia Sinica). The solution of this question is of supraregional importance because of the subtropical position of the concerned areas. In case of large albedo-intensive ice surfaces, a global cooling would be the energetical consequence and, furthermore, a breakdown of the summer monsoon. The current and interglacial heat-low above the very effective heating panel of the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibetan) Plateau exceeding 4000 m, which gives rise to this monsoon circulation, would be replaced by the cold-high of an inland ice. In addition, the plate-tectonically created Pleistocene history of the uplift of High Asia — should the occasion arise up to beyond the snowline (ELA) —would attain a paleoclimatically great, perhaps global importance. In case of a heavy superimposed ice load, the question would come up as to the glacio-isostatic interruption of this primary uplift. The production of the loesses sedimentated in NE-China and their very probable glacial genesis as well as an eustatic lowering of the sea-level by 5 to 7 m in the maximum case of glaciation are immediately tied up with the question of glaciation we want to discuss. Not the least, the problems of biotopes of the sanctuary-centres of flora and fauna, i.e., interglacial re-settlement, are also dependent on it. On the basis of this Quaternary- geomorphological-glaciological connection, future contributions are requested on the past glaciation, the current and glacial permafrost table and periglacial development, the history of uplift, and the development of Ice Age lakes and loess, but also on the development of vegetation and fauna in High Asia.     

Review on dating methods: Numerical dating in the quaternary geology of High Asia

Over the past few years, OSL and TCN datings of glacial material from High Asia have come into fashion. To this day, however, these techniques do not permit safe calibration. The intensity of the cosmic ray flux is being modulated by the solar and terrestrial magnetic fields and their secular fluctuations in the past. So far, these variations cannot be converted into the respective local TCN production rates for High Asia. We have reason to believe that the ages that are being calculated despite these uncertainties are generally overestimated. This assessment is supported by conventional radiocarbon dates and above all by the glacial chronology developed independently on the basis of the Quaternary geological method. The strongly emerging evidence for a much more extensive LGM glaciation of High Asia is, however, either being ignored or rejected by many authors, solely on the basis of the above-mentioned uncalibrated datings. This self-conceit based on the “dating fallacy”, as we call it, should be avoided since it goes decidedly against the standards of the scientific method established in Quaternary geology and makes a fundamental scientific discussion impossible.