Jungquartäre Klima- und Landschaftsentwicklung im Werchojansker Gebirge
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Summary
"In this study five terminal moraines ( I - V ) have been separated in different catchment areas on the western side of the Verkhoyansk Mountains by the use of remote sensing data, geomorphological field mapping and sedimentological analysis. Glacial sediments and aeolian cover sediments have been dated by IRSL. The datings show, that the terminal moraines are much older than thought previously. No glacial sediments could have been attributed to the global last glacial maximum (gLGM; 18-22ka). The uppermost moraine ( I ) is at least older than 55ka. During this time the glaciers have not reached the western forelands of the mountains. The second moraine, which is stratigraphicly older, could not be dated. Three large terminal moraines have been deposited in the foreland of the mountains. Their ages are between 80 to 90ka ( III ), around 100ka ( IV ), and 135 to 140ka ( V ). The glaciers on the eastern side of the Mountains have been much smaller in size and terminal moraines are heavily eroded. The new chronostratigraphy indicates a similar behaviour of glaciers in the Verkhoyansk Mountains and the eastern sector of the Eurasian ice sheet in the Barents- and Kara Sea as well as the mountain glaciations in Chukotka. In all these three areas, glaciations became smaller during the last glacial cycle. However, one major difference is the missing gLGM glaciation in the study area. Increasing aridity during the later last glacial cycle is the supposed cause. No moisture has been transported in the area from the west. Westerly winds have been the major source of precipitation during the last 140,000 years as indicated by the large piedmont glaciers on the western side and the asymmetric mountain glaciation." (Stauch, 2006).
| Duration | 05/2002 - 02/2005 |
|---|---|
| Funding | DFG Le 730/10-1, Prof. Dr. F. Lehmkuhl |
| Project partners |
Prof. Dr. Hans-Wolfgang Hubberten – Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Potsdam Prof. Dr. Bernhard Diekmann – Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Potsdam |