The Loch Lomond Readvance on north Arran,Scotland: glacier reconstruction and palaeoclimatic implications

Geomorphological mapping of northern Arran provides evidence for two advances of locally nourished glaciers, the younger being attributable to the Loch Lomond Stade (LLS) of ca. 12.9–11.5 k yr BP, primarily through the mutually exclusive relationship between glacial limits and Lateglacial periglacial features. The age of the earlier advance is unknown. Inferred LLS glacier cover comprised two small icefields and eight small corrie or valley glaciers and totalled 11.1 km². ELAs reconstructed using area–altitude balance ratio methods range from 268 m to 631 m for individual glaciers, with an area‐weighted mean ELA of 371 m. ELAs of individual glaciers are strongly related to snow‐contributing areas. The area‐weighted mean ELA is consistent with a north–south decline in LLS ELAs along the west coast of Great Britain. This decline has an average latitudinal gradient of 70 m 100 km^?1, equivalent to a mean southwards ablation‐season temperature increase of ca. 0.42°C 100 km^?1. Mean June–August temperatures at the regional climatic ELA, estimated from chironomid assemblages in SE Scotland, lay between 5.7 ± 0.1°C and 4.1 ± 0.2°C. Empirical relationships between temperature and precipitation at modern glacier ELAs indicate equivalent mean annual precipitation at the ELA lay between 2002 ± 490 mm and 2615 ± 449 mm. These figures suggest that stadial precipitation on Arran fell within a range between +8% and ?33% of present mean annual precipitation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Younger Dryas glaciation in the southeastern Monadhliath Mountains,Scotland: glacier reconstruction and palaeoclimate implications

Geomorphological mapping of locally nourished glaciers was conducted in four glens in the southeastern Monadhliath Mountains, Scotland. Three glaciers are interpreted to be of Younger Dryas age based on geomorphological similarity to features in other Scottish upland areas known to have been glaciated during the Younger Dryas, and on comparison to adjacent ice‐free areas in the lower glens where landform‐sediment assemblages typically reflect peri/paraglacial readjustment during the stadial. Here we reconstruct Younger Dryas glacier termini based on moraine alignments and associated geomorphological and sedimentological evidence. An adjacent wide plateau area at high altitude may have permitted extensive ice accumulation, but no unequivocal geomorphological signature is evident. To establish upper glacier limits, a series of ice profiles are modelled. The results yield a range of realistic glacier configurations bracketed between two distinct scenarios: a valley glaciation with the glaciers' upper limit on the plateau edge, and a low‐domed icecap centred on the plateau with ice flowing radially into the lower glens. Reconstructed equilibrium‐line altitudes are 795 m a.s.l. for the valley‐glacier scenario and 894 m a.s.l. for the icecap scenario. Calculated mean ablation‐season temperatures at the ELA are 1.2°C and 0.4°C for the valley‐glacier and the icecap scenario, respectively, from which we infer mean annual precipitation rates between 323 and 520 mm a^?1. Palaeoclimate results indicate a stadial climate in central Scotland 65–79% more arid than at present, comparable to that of western Norway for the stadial and to the present‐day Canadian Arctic.     

辽东半岛大孤山一带沟谷埋藏泥炭的硅藻组合以及 古环境和全新世最高海平面*

在辽东半岛东部的大孤山一带,面向海岸平原的沟谷埋藏泥炭十分发育。通过对11个沟谷进行钻孔调查,确认了在被切割的丘陵台地的沟谷中,埋藏泥炭广泛地发育在海拔\{2~\}10余米的不同高度; 并对钻孔样品做硅藻分析,明确了基底海拔高度在\{4~\}2m的泥炭层之下的沉积物为海生种硅藻占优势的海相层,因而取得了海水广泛侵入大洋河平原并直达沟谷深处的微体古生物方面的证据。进一步对3个代表性的小沟谷平原从沟头到沟口连续钻孔取样以及地质剖面分析,研究沟谷埋藏泥炭在横向上的分布特征表明:沟谷埋藏泥炭是全新世高海面期以后,随着海水的退却而形成的沼泽和湖沼等环境下的溺谷型泥炭; 位于沟谷中沟头位置的海拔4m左右的泥炭底部的标高,大致代表了该区全新世最高海面期海水(平均高潮线)曾达到的位置和高度,其泥炭在沟头开始形成的时期大致代表该区全新世最高海平面期; 研究区约\{6000~\}5500年前达到全新世最高海面,当时海面高度比现在约高出1.7m。     

Study of Statistical Characteristics of wet Season Hourly Rainfall at Hulu Watershed with Γ Function in Qilian Mountains

The probability distribution of the wet season hourly precipitation is the important basis for the study of the precipitation distribution, especially in mountainous areas. Hulu watershed is the study area located in the upper reaches of Heihe River, Qilian Mountains. By adopting the maximum likelihood estimation, the shape parameter α and scale parameter β of 6 stations were obtained with observed wet season (May to September) half hourly data, and different intensity precipitation probability density distribution, cumulative probability density and probability of precipitation and elevation and precipitation relationship were analyzed. The shape parameter α and scale parameter β is significantly negatively correlated, shape parameter α and average hourly precipitation distribution is consistent. Local topography is also an important factor to affect the precipitation redistribution and the probability distribution of precipitation in Hulu watershed. In addition to the increase of precipitation events, the probability of 1~3 mm mm/h precipitation increases with the altitude, which is the main reason for the increase of precipitation with altitude.     

三江源区大气水汽含量时空特征及其转化变化

利用1979-2016年ERA-Interim再分析资料提供的1°×1°水汽通量和大气可降水量（PWV）数据,采用相关性分析、趋势分析法、累积距平及反距离加权（IDW）等方法,研究三江源地区PWV与水汽通量的时空分布特征和降水转化率（PCE）。结果表明:①过去38年来,经、纬向多年平均水汽通量分别为2.0 kg/（m·s）、10.3 kg/（m·s）,水汽通量纬向增幅高于经向,水汽在纬向汇入为主,经向输出为主;② PWV呈微弱增多趋势,年平均PWV为1 791.6~2 278.9 mm,季节平均PWV为122.2~1 134.2 mm,不同季节内空间差异明显;③三江源区多年平均PCE为24.6%,1989年最高,达32.8%;季节与多年平均PCE空间分布一致,都表现出由东南向西北递减的变化特征,季节分布变化差异大;④该地区空中水资源丰富但自然PCE低,开发潜力大,应用前景广阔。     

The Loch Lomond Readvance on the Isle of Mull,Scotland: glacier reconstruction and palaeoclimatic implications

Geomorphological mapping of Mull provides evidence for an icefield 143 km² in area flanked by six corrie glaciers with a total area of ca. 13 km². The absence of Lateglacial periglacial features, shorelines and pollen sites from the area occupied by this readvance, together with radiocarbon dating of shell fragments, confirm that it occurred during the Loch Lomond (Younger Dryas) Stade. The thickness of glacigenic deposits within the area of the readvance is attributed to reworking of paraglacial sediments. Up‐valley continuity of recessional moraines indicates that the ice remained active and near to equilibrium during retreat, consistent with slow warming following the coldest part of the stade. Reconstructed equilibrium line altitudes (ELAs) imply vigorous snow‐blowing by westerly winds, and are consistent with a general southwestwards decline in ELAs across the Scottish Highlands. An ELA of 250 m was calculated for the Mull Icefield using an ablation:accumulation balance ratio (ABR) approach. Palaeotemperature and palaeoprecipitation estimates were derived by calculating a theoretical regional ELA from meteorological data and assuming that the combination of temperature and precipitation implied by the theoretical ELA approximates conditions at 250 m on Mull during the Loch Lomond Stade. The result indicates a mean July sea‐level temperature of 5.7 ± 0.5°C and a mean annual precipitation at 250 m of ca. 2700–3800 mm (best estimate 3200 mm), indicating higher precipitation totals than at present owing to more vigorous atmospheric circulation. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Middle‐Late Pleistocene Glacial Lakes in the Grand Canyon of the Tsangpo River,Tibet

Many moraines formed between Daduka and Chibai in the Tsangpo River valley since Middle Pleistocene. A prominent set of lacustrine and alluvial terraces on the valley margin along both the Tsangpo and Nyang Rivers formed during Quaternary glacial epoch demonstrate lakes were created by damming of the river. Research was conducted on the geological environment, contained sediments, spatial distribution, timing, and formation and destruction of these paleolakes. The lacustrine sediments 14C (10537±268 aBP at Linzhi Brick and Tile Factory, 22510±580 aBP and 13925±204 aBP at Bengga, 21096±1466 aBP at Yusong) and a series of ESR (electron spin resonance) ages at Linzhi town and previous data by other experts, paleolakes persisted for 691~505 kaBP middle Pleistocene ice age, 75–40 kaBP the early stage of last glacier, 27–8 kaBP Last Glacier Maximum (LGM), existence time of lakes gradually shorten represents glacial scale and dam moraine supply potential gradually cut down, paleolakes and dam scale also gradually diminished. This article calculated the average lacustrine sedimentary rate of Gega paleolake in LGM was 12.5 mm/a, demonstrates Mount Namjagbarwa uplifted strongly at the same time, the sedimentary rate of Gega paleolake is more larger than that of enclosed lakes of plateau inland shows the climatic variation of Mount Namjagbarwa is more larger and plateau margin uplifted more quicker than plateau inland. This article analyzed formation and decay cause about the Zelunglung glacier on the west flank of Mount Namjagbarwa got into the Tsangpo River valley and blocked it for tectonic and climatic factors. There is a site of blocking the valley from Gega to Chibai. This article according to moraines and lacustrine sediments yielded paleolakes scale: the lowest lake base altitude 2850 m, the highest lake surface altitude 3585 m, 3240 m and 3180 m, area 2885 km2, 820 km2 and 810 km2, lake maximum depth of 735 m, 390 m and 330 m. We disclose the reason that previous experts discovered there were different age moraines dividing line of altitude 3180 m at the entrance of the Tsangpo Grand Canyon is dammed lake erosive decay under altitude 3180 m moraines in the last glacier era covering moraines in the early ice age of late Pleistocene, top 3180 m in the last glacier moraine remained because ancient dammed lakes didn’t erode it under 3180 m moraines in the early ice age of late Pleistocene exposed. The reason of the top elevation 3585 m moraines in the middle Pleistocene ice age likes that of altitude 3180 m. There were three times dammed lakes by glacier blocking the Tsangpo River during Quaternary glacial period. During other glacial and interglacial period the Zelunglung glacier often extended the valley but moraine supplemental speed of the dam was smaller than that of fluvial erosion and moraine movement, dam quickly disappeared and didn’t form stable lake.     

Characteristics of inorganic ions in precipitation at different altitudes in the Yulong Snow Mountain, China

The present study investigated the chemical composition of summer precipitation at different altitudes in Yulong Snow Mountain, hoping to obtain some basic information about the chemical characteristics of precipitation. A couple of precipitation samples at different altitudes in the Yulong Snow Mountain area in southeastern China were collected from July 26 to July 31, 2005 for chemical analyses. Sea-salt tracer analysis showed that Cl^? and Na⁺ had high proportion from marine sources, while the other ions mainly were from non-marine sources. Statistics showed that the cation concentrations ranged from 0.51 to 5.26 mg L^?1 and anion concentrations ranged from 0.99 to 4.90 mg L^?1. Further analysis showed that terrestrial ions, especially from the proximal terrestrial sources, largely affected the ion concentrations in precipitation. Ion concentrations of precipitation were correlated significantly with local atmospheric circulation at altitude 2,950–4,800 m, and also correlated closely with human activities at altitude 2,400–2,950 m. Limestone, the majority of local rocks, caused high cation concentrations in precipitation, such as Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺. The majority of vapors in the region came from the Indian Ocean whereas parts came from the eastern Pacific. The inorganic ions in precipitation increased significantly in the Yulong Snow Mountain area during this century. Compared with most of the high altitude Mountains in China, the precipitations in the Yulong Snow Mountain area had higher concentrations of inorganic ions and low acidic ion concentrations. The conclusions can provide a basis for study of regional climate characteristics, environment and ecological characteristics of Yulong Snow Mountain area.     

Geomorphological evidences of post-LGM glacial advancements in the Himalaya: A study from Chorabari Glacier,Garhwal Himalaya,India

Field geomorphology and remote sensing data, supported by Optical Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating from the Mandakini river valley of the Garhwal Himalaya enabled identification of four major glacial events; Rambara Glacial Stage (RGS) (13 ± 2 ka), Ghindurpani Glacial Stage (GhGS) (9 ± 1 ka), Garuriya Glacial Stage (GGS) (7 ± 1 ka) and Kedarnath Glacial Stage (KGS) (5 ± 1 ka). RGS was the most extensive glaciation extending for ~6 km down the valley from the present day snout and lowered to an altitude of 2800 m asl at Rambara covering around ~31 km² area of the Mandakini river valley. Compared to this, the other three glaciations (viz., GhGS, GGS and KGS) were of lower magnitudes terminating around ~3000, ~3300 and ~3500 m asl, respectively. It was also observed that the mean equilibrium line altitude (ELA) during RGS was lowered to 4747 m asl compared to the present level of 5120 m asl. This implies an ELA depression of ~373 m during the RGS which would correspond to a lowering of ~2°C summer temperature during the RGS. The results are comparable to that of the adjacent western and central Himalaya implying a common forcing factor that we attribute to the insolation-driven monsoon precipitation in the western and central Himalaya.     

2004-2013年“雨城”雅安的降水日变化特征分析

利用2004-2013年逐小时降水自动观测数据分析了"雨城"雅安降水的日变化特征.结果表明:近10 a来雅安降水主要表现出单峰型分布特征, 峰值出现在北京时间24:00, 谷值出现在15:00, 夜间降水占年总降水量的74.5%; 降水出现频次也呈现单峰型分布, 峰值出现在01:00, 谷值出现在14:00, 夜间降水次数占全年总次数的66%; 23:00-02:00是雅安最易发生降水的时段, 14:00-16:00 则是最不易出现降水时段. 降水量和降水出现频次日变化形势均表明, 雅安一年四季都具有显著的夜雨特征. 近10 a来, 雅安6 h以上的长持续时间降水事件主要发生在17:00-04:00, 产生的过程降水量占总降水量的80.4%, 对雅安降水总量的贡献占有绝对优势; 持续时间≥24 h的降水事件10 a 累计次数达到74次, 累积降水量达到2 166.8 mm, 占总降水量的14%, 是长持续时间降水事件中对总降水量贡献最大的, 该类事件的影响值得关注.     

John’s creek valley: a mountainous catchment for long-term interdisciplinary human-environment system research in Upper Styria (Austria)

The John’s creek valley (Johnsbachtal) is presented as a long-term, interdisciplinary cooperation platform in upper Styria (Austrian Alps) that brings together the interests and knowledge of persons with different backgrounds (scientists, teachers, students, as well as local actors and the population) with the central aim to generate mutual benefit for all involved parties. It covers an area of around 65 km² with elevations between 600 and 700 m in the valley to over 2,300 m in the summit regions. Annual mean temperature ranges from approximately 8 °C in the lower elevations of the valley to below 0 °C in the summit regions. Annual precipitation mounts to values of 1,500 mm and more than 1,800 mm in the lower elevations and summit regions, respectively. To allow for a long-term monitoring of the complex meteorological and hydrological conditions in the area, a hydroclimatological monitoring network has been installed that is described in detail in this paper. A special characteristic of the installed meteorological stations is that they cover a large range of altitudes and, therefore, allow to capture the gradients in meteorological variables induced by the complex Alpine topography. Furthermore, the hydroclimatological monitoring network in John’s creek valley is largely independent of regular third-party project funding, and therefore, not temporarily limited in its existence. A number of catchment research activities that cover a variety of disciplines (e.g., climatology, hydrology, (hydro)geology, geomorphology) and that largely benefit from the hydroclimatological data recorded in John’s creek valley are presented together with preliminary results. The latter include spatial distributions of meteorological and hydrological variables (e.g., precipitation, evapotranspiration and snowmelt) calculated for the test site using the hydrometeorological model AMUNDSEN. Furthermore, the results of hydrogeological investigations that have been carried out at the Etzbach spring are presented and discussed.     

天山乌鲁木齐河源1号冰川物质平衡高度变化特征及其对径流的影响

利用天山乌鲁木齐河源1号冰川1980-2010年的物质平衡、水文气象实测资料, 分析了1号冰川1980-2010年的各高度带物质平衡特征, 进而分析了1984-2010年纯积累和纯消融的变化特点及其与气象要素、冰川融水径流变化的关系. 结果表明: 1号冰川物质平衡处于持续的负平衡, 纯积累量与年降水的相关系数为-0.16, 纯消融量与年均温的相关系数为0.61, 与夏季(6-8月)气温的相关系数为0.78. 2010年1号冰川为有观测记录以来的最强消融年(b_n=-1 327 mm), 整个冰川处于消融区(平衡线高度大于海拔4 484 m, 积累区面积为0), 同时东、西支冰川各高度区间的物质平衡变化也与往年度显著不同, 说明2010年是1号冰川物质平衡变化的特殊年份, 也有可能1号冰川的物质平衡变化进入了一个新的亏损变化阶段. 对其径流数据的分析还表明, 温度对径流的影响大于降水对径流的影响.     

2013年西藏嘉黎县“7.5”冰湖溃决洪水成因及潜在危害

冰湖溃决洪水（泥石流）是西藏自治区主要自然灾害之一. 2013年7月5日,西藏自治区嘉黎县忠玉乡发生“7.5”冰湖溃决洪水灾害事件,导致人员失踪,房屋被毁,桥梁、道路等基础设施遭到严重破坏,直接经济损失高达2.7亿元. 基于不同时间段地形图和遥感影像资料,利用地理信息技术,发现导致“7.5”洪灾的溃决冰湖为然则日阿错. 该冰湖溃决的直接诱因可能是雪崩和冰崩的共同作用,溃决前的强降水过程及气温的快速上升是其间接原因,而冰湖长期稳定的扩张导致水量聚集是其溃决并造成巨大灾害的基础. 然则日阿错溃决后形成2个冰湖,面积分别为0.25 km²和0.01 km²,再次发生溃决的概率极小. 这次溃决洪水和泥石流灾害事件阻塞了尼都藏布的罗琼沟及衣布沟,并形成2处面积分别为0.33 km²和0.13 km²堰塞湖,且存在溃决风险,在今后一段时间内应加强监测工作与排险工程实施.     

西藏扎布耶盐湖30.0 ka B P以来水位与古降水量变化

扎布耶湖9级大型沙砾堤记录了约30．0ka B P以来水位退缩历史，与北部拉果错、南部塔若错的垭口沉积记录了3个湖泊最后分离的时间。本文应用数字地面高程模型(DEM)，计算了扎布耶各级沙堤对应湖面期的湖水面积、体积与含盐量；分析了扎布耶与拉果错、塔若错的分-合历程，计算了各时期汇流盆地总面积；参考湖泊、冰川、孢粉、天文学等多学科关于古温度、辐射平衡的结论，得出了较为可信的计算参数。在此基础上，应用根据西藏实际情况得出的辐射平衡和水面蒸发、陆面蒸发计算模型，代入封闭盆地水量平衡方程，得出了较Kutzbach水-能方程更可靠的降雨量-水域面积／流域面积比的非线性方程，计算出泛湖期(9级沙堤，40．0～28．0ka B P)该区降雨量567 mm／a，盛冰阶时降至350mm／a以下，冰期后增至402mm／a，随后逐步下降直至约Ⅰ-1级阶地时(海拔4421m，3．53ka B P)为280mm／a(约为现代的两倍)。通过定量恢复该区30．0ka B P以来降水量变化，为认识西藏高原湖泊演化和古环境、古季风演化提供了定量依据。     

2012 - 2017年伊犁河谷冬季降水日变化特征

利用2012 - 2017年冬季伊犁河谷10个国家气象站逐小时降水资料, 分析了伊犁河谷不同区域降水日变化特征, 结果表明： 冬季伊犁河谷西部和中部地区降水量日变化呈单峰型, 北京时间09：00 - 12：00是主要的峰值时段; 其他地区降水量日变化单峰特征不显著。伊犁河谷大部分地区降水量与降水频次的关系比降水量与降水强度的关系更为密切。伊犁河谷冬季降水事件以6 h以内的短历时降水为主, 但其对冬季总降水量的贡献率不足30%; 持续12 h以上的长持续性降水事件发生次数虽少, 但它是伊犁河谷冬季总降水量的主要贡献者。短历时和持续性降水事件是伊犁河谷西部地区降水量日变化主峰的重要贡献者; 持续性和长持续性降水事件是伊犁河谷中部及北部地区降水量日变化峰值的重要贡献者; 伊犁河谷西南部地区冬季降水日循环与降水持续性之间的关系不显著。     

Quaternary glaciation of the North Slope of Karakorum mountains

Three kinds of moraines can be found in the Muztagh valley on the N slope of Mount K2, Karakorum: an old calco-cement moraine lying at the altitude of 5000 m asl, a hilly moraine lying at the altitude of 4200–4800 m asl and a new lateral moraine, lying on both sides of the present river valley. According to the moraines’ geomorphology, they are referred to the Middle Pleistocene Glaciation, the Late Pleistocene Glaciation and the Post-Glacial Period respectively. The lowest level of glacial cirques at 4200–4000 m asl, corresponding to the largest Glaciation, belongs to the Middle Pleistocene (Riss). The ancient cirques at this altitude in the Shaksgam and Yargand valleys are poorly preserved while at the piedmont of the West Kunlun mountains they are represented in better shape. This means that these ancient cirques had been submerged and almost removed by the main ice flow of the valleys. Old cirques, however, are well shaped (or reshaped) where associated with younger cirques at 4600 m als; they could be considered as the product of the Last Glaciation (Würm). Thus, the equilibrium line altitude (ELA) decreased to 1600 m during the Riss Glaciation and to 1000 m during the Würm Glaciation. On the basis of the ELA decrease and existence of complex morainic deposits found at the piedmont of the West Kunlun mountains at about 2200 m asl, the author adheres to the opinion that Riss Glaciation had developed an ice cover (ice sheet), with the central ice area located in Karakorum and reaching up to the high peaks of the Kunlun mountains, and down to the piedmont region. During the Last Glaciation an immense ice cap covered the upper parts of the Shaksgam and Yarkant valleys. The paper also deals with the relations between glaciations and tectonic uplift, indicating that topographic and climatic conditions were favourable for the large-scale ice development in the Middle and Late Pleistocene. The uplift may have reached 600–800 m during the Postglacial period. The uplift rates are often reflected by the glaciostatic in the Postglacial Age.     

Palaeoclimatic reconstruction from Loch Lomond Readvance glaciers in the West Drumochter Hills,Scotland

Geomorphological mapping in the West Drumochter Hills provides evidence of a readvance of locally nourished glaciers during the Loch Lomond (Younger Dryas) Stade, in the form of an icefield 67.7 km² in area drained by outlet glaciers. The icefield limits accord broadly with those proposed by Sissons (1980) but all geomorphic, stratigraphic and sedimentological evidence conflicts with a recent proposal that the landforms in the area reflect southwestwards retreat of the last ice sheet. Up‐valley continuity of recessional moraines indicates that the ice remained active and close to climatic equilibrium during the earlier stages of glacier retreat, consistent with slow warming following the coldest part of the stade. The pattern of equilibrium line altitudes (ELAs) across the icefield is consistent with transfer of snow by westerly and southerly winds. The ELA of the reconstructed icefield as a whole is 622–629 m, although this figure is likely to be lower than the regional (climatic) ELA because the icefield probably received additional snow blown from adjacent plateau surfaces and slopes. Inclusion of potential snow‐blow areas in the ELA calculation yields a value of 648–656 m; the climatic ELA is therefore likely to have lain between 622 and 656 m. Mean June to August temperature at the ELA, based on chironomid assemblages at two sites, falls within the range 4.0 ± 0.7°C. Empirical relationships between temperature and precipitation at modern glacier ELAs indicate that mean annual precipitation (MAP) at the ELA was 1977 ± 464 mm, statistically indistinguishable from modern values. Comparison with precipitation values calculated for the Isle of Mull on the west coast suggest that the precipitation gradient across the Central Highlands of Scotland was steeper during the Loch Lomond Stade than at present, probably as the result of efficient scavenging of precipitation from westerly airflows by the West Highland Icefield. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparison of Late Pleistocene and Modern Glacier Extents in Central Nepal Based on Digital Elevation Data and Satellite Imagery

Late Pleistocene and modern ice extents in central Nepal are compared to estimate equilibrium line altitude (ELA) depressions. New techniques are used for determining the former extent of glaciers based on quantitative, objective geomorphic analyses of a 90-m resolution digital elevation model (DEM). For every link of the drainage network, valley form is classified as glacial or fluvial based on cross-valley shape and slope statistics. Down-valley transitions from glacial to fluvial form indicate the former limits of glaciation in each valley. Landsat Multispectral Scanner imagery for the same region is used to map current glacier extents. For both full-glacial and modern cases, ELAs are computed from the glacier limits using the DEM and a toe-to-headwall altitude ratio of 0.5. Computed ELA depressions range from 100–900 m with a modal value of 650 m and a mean of 500 m, values consistent with previously published estimates for the central Himalaya but markedly smaller than estimates for many other regions. We suggest that this reflects reduced precipitation, rather than a small temperature depression, consistent with other evidence for a weaker monsoon under full-glacial conditions.     

Isotopic composition and origin of the precipitation in Northern Chile

A 3 a data set of isotopes in precipitation from northern Chile show a very distinct pattern, with δ¹⁸O values ranging between −18 and −15‰ at high altitude stations, compared to δ¹⁸O values between −10 and −6‰ at the lower altitude areas. The ¹⁸O-depleted values observed in the high altitude area, the Altiplano, are related to processes that affect the air masses that originated over the Atlantic, cross the Amazon Basin (continental effect), ascend the Andes (altitude effect) and precipitated (convective effect) in the Altiplano. It is postulated that a second source of moisture, associated with air masses from the Pacific, may contribute to the ¹⁸O-enriched values observed in the lower altitude areas. Similar isotopic patterns are documented in springs and groundwater indicating that the data presented in this paper are an accurate representation of the long term behavior isotopic composition of rain in northern Chile.