Geomorphological and Pedological Investigations on the Glacial History of the Kali Gandaki (Nepal Himalaya)

In semi-arid orographic left tributaries of the Kali Gandaki at the northern and western flank of the Nilgiri Himal, glacio-geomorphological and pedological investigations were carried out on prehistoric moraines. Geomorphological relief analysis was derived from other literature and the own fieldwork of the author. The resulting glacial chronology was used as benchmark to explore the limits of different pedological dating methods regarding the degree of soil development. These methods are based on iron fractionation, total element contents and particle size distribution. In general the different glacial stages are mirrored correctly in the relative graduation of soil development. The ratio of well crystallised pedogenic iron-oxides to the total iron content and the ratio fine clay to total clay are most suitable, because they are almost independent from existing changes in the lithological composition. The total element based weathering indices are less suitable, because they react highly sensitive to the geology dependent shift to higher carbonate contents. Most of the grain size based weathering indices are inapplicable because of the typically high textural variability within till deposits.     

Pleistocene glacial relief of the central part of Mt. Prokletije (Albanian Alps)

The central and highest area of Mt. Prokletije (Albanian Alps) is situated in northern Albania and eastern Montenegro (at 42°30′N). The highest peak is Maja e Jezerces (2694 m). Detailed geomorphological mapping was used to reconstruct the positions of former glaciers. The longest Ropojana glacier had a length of 12.5 km and surface of 20 km²; others include Valbona Glacier (9.5 km, 10.5 km²), Grbaja Glacier (5 km, 6.7 km²) and Bogićevica Glacier (6 km, 6.9 km²). Three series of moraines can be distinguished: the lowest at an average altitude of 990 m (average ELA 1750 m), the middle series at 1350 m (ELA 1942 m), and the highest at 1900 m (ELA 2123 m). As no advanced dating methods have yet been used to provide a numerical chronological framework for these features, hypotheses are made based on the comparison with the advanced studies of other similar mountains in the Mediterranean region. The moraines of the first stage (lowest series) correspond to one of pre-LGM glaciations (Middle or even Early Würmian), the second stage moraines probably correspond to LGM, and the third stage could be attributed to Younger Dryas. The mapping included a number of inactive and active rock glaciers, as well as three small active glaciers (surface 5 ha and less), at 1980–2100 m altitude, in the area close to Maja e Jezerces.     

Younger Dryas Glaciation in Söderåsen, South Sweden: An Analysis of Meteorologic and Topographic Controls

In Söderåsen, South Sweden, various geomorphological investigations indicate that small, local glaciers were initiated at very low altitudes within the Skäralid rock canyon during the Younger Dryas period. Wind polish on boulders indicates that this period was characterised by easterly winds and drifting snow. Some new field observations are presented and the Söderåsen Younger Dryas reglaciation hypothesis is tested by means of empirical knowledge on glacier equilibrium line climate and an analytic geographical information system (GIS) experiment. The GIS analysis demonstrates that the deeply incised rock canyon represents a pronounced radiation shelter, while the empirical analysis emphasises the importance of strong snow drift from the east during the winter. Together, the two analyses indicate that the inferred Söderåsen Younger Dryas reglaciation is possible from a palaeoclimatic point of view, although conditions for glaciation may have been marginal to those of rock glacier initiation.     

喀喇昆仑山北坡冰川地质及地貌

喀喇昆仑山北坡是我国山岳冰川最发育的地区之一.千姿百态的地貌景观是冰川地质及地貌作用的结果.本文对该区主要冰川的地貌类型、不同类型冰川作用的规模及发育程度,以及各阶段冰川作用强度与挽近时期构造运动的关系进行了初步研究.     

Two Necessary Conditions for the Glacial-Interglacial Cycles in the Quaternary

Milankovitch Theory shows that glacial-interglacial cycles in the Quaternary are related to the variation of solar insolation forcing linked to the earth's astronomical parameters.However,the summer insolation at northern high latitudes,usually considered as the main external forcing for the ice age as Milankovitch pointed out,is marked by the 19- and 23-ka precession periodicities,which is not consistent with the glacial-interglacial cycles.On the other hand,recent studies indicate that the annual mean ...     

The Campo Felice late Pleistocene Glaciation (Apennines,central Italy)

Study of the glacial deposits and lacustrine sediments of Campo Felice (Apennines, central Italy) has enabled the glacial phases of the last 40 ka to be dated more precisely, and has demonstrated that the maximum glacial advance did not occur in correspondence with the last global glacial maximum and with the coldest and most arid phase suggested by the pollen, but in a period dated between about 33 and 27 ka, characterized by a less extreme climate. Furthermore, a glacial expansion took place also in the period prior to 35 ka. Correlation with the Alpine glacial variations has shown that the Apennine last glacial maximum occurred before that of the southern slope of the Alps. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

青藏高原东缘高位崩滑灾害多动力多期次演化特征

青藏高原东缘是全球重要的活动构造区,高原峡谷区斜坡陡峻,高位崩滑灾害多发。采用遥感解译、地面调查、钻孔勘探及测年分析等方法,研究了西藏洛隆察达沟和易贡扎木弄沟两处高位崩滑堆积体的多动力多期次演化特征。研究结果表明：(1)沿陡峻沟道发生的高位崩滑灾害多为复合成因,兼具内动力和外动力作用交替促发特征;(2)洛隆察达沟晚更新世以来的堆积物形成序列可分为4期,分别经历了以冰川作用为主的冰碛物堆积、古地震引发的高位崩滑-碎屑流堆积、气候变暖背景下的冰-岩崩滑堆积及近代重力崩滑堆积;(3)易贡扎木弄沟在过去5500年中,先后发生了8次以上较大规模崩滑堆积,测年结果显示了巨型崩滑事件存在百年数量级的复发周期,由于不同期次巨型崩滑体的成因不同,复发周期可能存在长、中、短的差异;(4)近年来受全球气候变化影响,冰-岩崩滑灾害频现,可能成为高原峡谷区高位远程地质灾害研究的焦点。本文关于高位崩滑灾害多期次演化过程的认识对于高原峡谷区重大地质灾害防灾减灾具有一定启示意义。     

新元古代极端冰期事件中生物避难所的环境条件

新元古代成冰纪(南华纪)(720～635 Ma)以全球性冰期事件而闻名。这次冰期事件对早期生命演化产生了显著影响,被认为是生命演化的“过滤器”和“瓶颈”。冰期前后生物对比表明生物演化并未中断,暗示冰期过程中存在生物避难所。扬子板块北缘神农架地区成冰系南沱组中发现了罕见的宏体藻类生物记录——宋洛生物群。为了探究成冰纪全球性冰期背景下,古环境与生物幸存之间的关系,本文对扬子北缘宋洛剖面和青林口剖面南沱组内含化石页岩层和不含化石泥岩层开展了元素地球化学对比研究。结果显示,不含化石泥岩层沉积于半咸水氧化环境,而含“宋洛生物群”化石的页岩层沉积于冰消期末期,当时海洋为正常盐度、次氧化状态,该地区具有相对温暖的气候条件。这可能为“宋洛生物群”在极端冰期下幸存并保存为化石提供了有利条件。该研究也表明新元古代极端冰期事件中的确存在适合复杂生命生存的避难所。