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›› 2014, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (3): 407-418.

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Discussion on difference of Quaternary glaciation in the mid-latitude regions of Asia

ZHANG  Wei,YU  Zhi-long,LI  Yuan-yuan,HE  Ming-yue   

  1. (College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, Liaoning, China)
  • Received:2013-08-17 Revised:2013-10-21 Online:2014-05-25

Abstract: Chinese glacial history is definitely different from the glacial history of Polar region and the high latitudes through the research of the glacial history,distribution characteristics and extent evolution,especially in the Tibetan Plateau and its bordering mountains. The possible reason may be that the tectonic uplift of the Tibetan Plateau is late. In recent years,as the development of the research in the absolute chronology,onset of the Quaternary glaciations and the evolution characteristics become more and more clear. It is not only provides the important basis for discussing the glacier mechanism in middle latitudes,but also vitally important for researching the coupling control on the Quaternary glaciation between climate and tectonic movement in China. Previous studies possibly show that there are different characteristics among the Quaternary glacial sequence,history and extent in middle latitudes of Asia. The real material includes the absolute dating results such as the TL,ESR,CRN and 14C,glacial extent,and other climate and/or tectonic uplift collected in the research regions located in the central Asia,including Tianshan Mountains across China and Kazakhstan,Altai Mountains,Qilian Mountains,Helan Mountains,Taibai Mountains,Changbai Mountains and the mountains in Japan. The comparison was carried out of glacial series,extent evolutions and influence factors on the differences of glacial development in these mountains. The main conclusions are as follows:the glacial extent becomes gradual reduction in the western mountains with time advance and the glacial history in the western Tianshan Mountains stared at the MIS 6 stage is shorter than that in the eastern Tianshan Mountains and the Qilian Mountains with a longer glacial history at the beginning of the Zhonglianggan Glaciation (~470 ka). In contrast,the glacial history only stared at the last glacial cycle (~75 ka) is much shorter in and along the islands near the Pacific Ocean and in East Asia. Studies also show that the largest glacial extents are inconsistent with time advance in the different areas,especially during the Last Glacial Cycle. The glacial extent in moraine isotope stage (MIS) 3 and/or 4 is larger than that in the traditional significance’s Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Glacial sequence and extent evolution indicate that the different atmospheric circulations have important influences on glacier developments,especially the westerly and monsoon circulation. In addition,the different mountains located in the same latitude can cause the regional differentiations of glacier evolution,because of the difference in the aspects of the geographical position and the tectonic movement. It also brings about that the largest glacial extent and time in each period and each mountain are consistent or inconsistent. Therefore,the tectonic factors influence the glacial series in different areas profoundly. The mountains’ glacial development in the study areas is closely related to the tectonic movement. These research findings enlighten us to think about that the glacial history and extent in the middle latitude may not have the same regular patterns as in the high latitude. In the further research,it should strengthen the research efforts of the absolute chronology of each mountain and lay emphasis on the coupling relation between climate and tectonic movement.

Key words: glacial history, tectonic uplift, glacial extent, Quaternary

CLC Number: 

  • P931