Abstract
The Gongga Mountain is the largest area of modern glaciation in the Hengduan Mountains and, with a summit elevation of 7556 m, is the highest mountain on the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. During the Quaternary glacial-interglacial cycles the Gongga Mountain was extensively and repeatedly glaciated, and glacial landforms and outwash deposits from multiple glaciations are well-preserved in valleys, in basins, and on piedmonts. To constrain the glacial chronology of the eastern slope of Gongga Mountain, sample sites were selected based on the distribution and weathering of glacial tills, relationships among glacial deposits, and soil development on moraines. Dating of the tills and glaciofluvial deposits was undertaken with electron spin resonance (ESR) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL). The ages of the glacial deposits can be divided into four clusters: 2.2±0.5, 11.9±0.6, 35.9±2.7-58.0±6.3 and 119.2±15.9-194.2±32.8 ka. Five glacial advances in this region have been identified, which are equivalent in age to the Little Ice Age (LIA), Neoglaciation, marine oxygen isotope stage (MIS) 2, mid-MIS3, and MIS6. The largest local last glacial maximum (LGML) occurred on Gongga Mountain during mid-MIS3, characterized by a cold-humid climate, rather than the global Last Glacial Maximum (LGMG) of MIS2. The Gongga, Nanmenguangou (NMGG) and Yajiageng Glaciations occurred during the late part of the last glacial cycle, the middle of the last glacial cycle and the penultimate glacial cycle, respectively. On the basis of geomorphological, sedimentological, and compositional characteristics, landforms of the Moxi Platform and terraces can be grouped by facies and geochronology. In combination with the dating results, this analysis indicates the basal part of the Moxi Platform between Xinxin and the Moxi Hotel is correlative with the till of the Nanguanmen Glaciation (mid-MIS3). This basal unit has occasional lenses of glaciofluvial sandy gravel and lacustrine sediments. The remainder of the Moxi Platform and the terraces beside the platform are glaciofluvial deposits occasionally mixed with debris flow deposits and range in age from MIS3 to Holocene.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Cui Z J, Zhang W. Discussion about the glacier extent and advance/retreat asynchrony during the Last Glaciaiton (in Chinese). J Glaciol Geocryol, 2003, 25: 510–516
Zhou S Z, Xu L B, Wang J, et al. A preliminary study on timing of the oldest Pleistocene glaciation in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Quat Int, 2006, 154/155: 44–51
Zhou S Z, Xu L B, Colgan P M, et al. Cosmogenic 10Be dating of Guxiang and Baiyu Glaciations. Chin Sci Bull, 2007, 52: 1387–1393
Xu L B, Zhou S Z. Quaternary glaciations recorded by glacial and fluvial landforms in the Shaluli Mountains, Southeastern Tibetan Plateau. Geomorphology, 2009, 103: 268–275
Yi C L, Li X Z, Qu J J. Quaternary glaciation of Puruogangri-the largest modern ice field in Tibet. Quat Int, 2002, 97/98: 111–121
Owen L A, Finkel R C, Caffee M W. A note on the extent of glaciation throughout the Himalaya during the global Last Glacial Maximum. Quat Sci Rev, 2002, 21: 147–157
Wang J, Zhou S Z, Zhao J D, et al. Quaternary glacial geomorphology and glaciations of Kongur Mountain, eastern Pamir, China. Sci China Earth Sci, 2011, 54: 591–602
Zhang W, Niu Y B, Ling Y, et al. Late Pleistocene glaciation of the Changbai Mountains in northeastern China. Chin Sci Bull, 2008, 53: 2672–2684
Seong Y B, Owen L A, Yi C L, et al. Quaternary glaciation of Muztag Ata and Kongur Shan: Evidence for glacier response to rapid climate changes throughout the Late Glacial and Holocene in westernmost Tibet. Geol Soc Am Bull, 2009, 121: 348–365
Owen L A, Finkel R C, Ma H Z, et al. Timing and style of late Quaternary glaciation in northeastern Tibet. Geol Soc Am Bull, 2003, 115: 1356–1364
Owen L A, Finkel R C, Barnard P L, et al. Climatic and topographic controls on the style and timing of Late Quaternary glaciation throughout Tibet and the Himalaya defined by 10Be cosmogenic radionuclide surface exposure dating. Quat Sci Rev, 2005, 24: 1391–1411
Heim A. The glaciation and solifluction on Minya Gongkar. Geogr J, 1936, 87: 444–454
Anderson J G. Topographical and archaeological studies in the Far East. The Museum of Far Eastern Autiquities (Ocstasiatiska Samligarna). Stockholm Bull, 1939, 11: 7–22
Cui Z J. Preliminary observation of present glaciers in the Mt. Gongga (in Chinese). Acta Geol Sin, 1958, 24: 318–338
Fan W J. The geological tectonic foundation of Minya Gongkar and its characteristic glacial landforms (in Chinese). J Chengdu Univ Sci Technol, 1982, (3): 19–28
Liu S Z, Liu X M, Zhao Y T, et al. Geomorphology and its development in Gongga Mountain Region (in Chinese). In: Chengdu Institute of Geography, CAS, ed. Region Geographic Expedition in the Gongga Mountain. Chongqing: Chongqing Branch of Scientific and Technology Document Press, 1983. 21–34
Li Z W, Chen J L, Hu F D, et al. Geological structure of Gongga Mountain (in Chinese). In: Chengdu Institute of Geography, CAS, ed. Region Geographic Expedition in the Gongga Mountain. Chongqing: Chongqing Branch of Scientific and Technology Document Press, 1983. 4–20
Li J J, Song M K, Qing D H, et al. Investigation of glaciers on the Gongga Shan (in Chinese). In: Comprehensive Scientific Expedition Team of CAS in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, ed. Special Issue of Hengduan Mountains Expedition (I). Kunming: Yunnan People’s Press, 1983. 140–153
Wang M L, Hu F D, Li Z W. Discuss of Quaternary glaciation on the Gongga Mountain (in Chinese). In: Gao S Z, Zheng Y C, eds. Research Papers in Hengduan Mountains. Chengdu: Sichuan Science and Technology Press, 1989. 50–58
Su Z, Liu S Y, Wang L L, et al. Recent fluctuations of glaciers in the Gongga Mountains. Ann Glaciol, 1992, 16: 163–167
Zheng B X, Ma Q H. The glacier variation, climatic change and the river valley development in the Holocene on the Gongga Mountain (in Chinese). Acta Geol Sin, 1994, 46: 500–508
Zheng B X. Study on the Quaternary glaciation and the formation of the Moxi Platform in the east slopes of the Mount Gongga (in Chinese). J Glaciol Geocryol, 2001, 23: 283–291
Su Z, Shi Y F, Zheng B X. Quaternary glacial remains on the Gongga Mountain and the division of glacial period (in Chinese). Adv Earth Sci, 2002, 17: 639–647
Liu S Z. Geomorphological types and mapping on the Gongga Mountain (in Chinese). In: Comprehensive Scientific Expedition Team of CAS in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, ed. Special Issue of Hengduan Mountains Expedition (I). Kunming: Yunnan People’s Press, 1983. 114–123
Pu J C. Glacier Inventory of China VIII, the Yangtze River Drainage Basin (in Chinese). Lanzhou: Gansu Culture Press, 1994. 117–129
Su Z, Liang D L, Hong M. Developing conditions, amounts and distributions of glaciers in Gongga Mountain (in Chinese). J Glaciol Geocryol, 15: 551–557
Zheng B X, Rutter N. On the problem of Quaternary glaciations, and the extent and patterns of Pleistonce ice cover in the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau. Quat Int, 1998, 45/46: 109–122
Reimer P J, Baillie M G L, Bard E, et al. IntCal04 terrestrial radiocarbon age calibration, 0–26 cal kyr BP. Radiocarbon, 2004, 46: 1029–1058
Li G Q, Zhao H, Fan Y X, et al. Improved method for quartz purification in OSL dating (in Chinese). Adv Earth Sci, 2008, 23: 284–289
Murray A S, Wintle A G. Luminescence dating of quartz using an improved single-aliquot regenerative-dose protocol. Radiat Meas, 2000, 32: 57–73
Prescott J R, Hutton J T. Cosmic ray contributions to dose rates for luminescence and ESR dating: Large depths and long-term time variations. Radiat Meas, 1994, 23: 497–500
Ou X J, Xu L B, Lai Z P, et al. Potential of quartz OSL dating on moraine deposits from eastern Tibetan Plateau using SAR protocol. Quat Geochronol, 2010, 5: 257–262
Fuchs M, Owen L A. Luminescence dating of glacial and associated sediments: review, recommendations and future directions. Boreas, 2008, 37: 636–659
Thrasher I M, Mauz B, Chiverrell R C, et al. Luminescence dating of glaciofluvial deposits: A review. Earth-Sci Rev, 2009, 97: 133–146
Duller G A T. Single grain optical dating of glacigenic deposits. Quat Geochronol, 2006, 1: 296–304
Walther R, Zilles D. ESR studies on bleached sedimentary quartz. Quat Geochronol-Quat Sci Rev, 1994, 13: 611–614
Rink W J. Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) dating and ESR applications in Quaternary science and archaeometry. Radiat Meas, 1997, 27: 975–1025
Zhao J D, Song Y G, King J W, et al. Glacial geomorphology and glacial history of the Muzart River valley, Tianshan range, China. Quat Sci Rev, 2010, 29: 1453–1463
Zhao J D, Liu S Y, He Y Q, et al. Quaternary glacial chronology of the Ateaoyinake River Valley, Tianshan Mountains, China. Geomorphology, 2009, 103: 276–284
Tanaka T, Sawada S, Ito T. ESR dating of late Pleistocene near-shore and terrace sands. In: Ikeya M, Miki T, eds. ESR Dating and Dosimetry. Tokyo: Ionics, 1986. 275–280
Buhay W M, Schwarcz H P, Grün R. ESR dating of fault gouge: The effect of grain size. Quat Sci Rev, 1988, 7: 515–522
Ye Y G, Diao S B, He J, et al. ESR dating studies of paleodebris-flows deposition Dongchuan, Yunnan Province, China. Quat Sci Rev, 1998, 17: 1073–1076
Li J J. The formation mechanism and identification of mountain glacial geomorphology (in Chinese). In: Shi Y F, Cui Z J, Li J J, eds. Quaternary Glacier and Environment in East China. Beijing: Science Press, 1989. 13–26
Mahaney W C, Vortisch W, Julig P J. Relative differences between glacially crushed quartz transported by mountain and continental ice: Some examples from North America and East Africa. Am J Sci, 1988, 288: 810–826
Yi C L. Subglacial comminution: Evidence from microfabric studies and grain size analysis. J Glaciol, 1997, 43: 174–179
Jin S Z, Deng Z, Huang P H. Study on optical effects of quartz E′; Center in loess. Chin Sci Bull, 1991, 36: 1865–1870
Zhao J D, Zhou S Z, He Y Q, et al. ESR dating of glacial tills and glaciations in the Urumqi River headwaters, Tianshan Mountains, China. Quat Int, 2006, 144: 61–67
Li J J, Zheng B X, Yang X J, et al. Glaciers in Tibet (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 1986. 138–140
Xu L B, Zhou S Z. Quantifying erosion rates in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau since the last interglacial using in-situ cosmogenic radionuclide 10Be (in Chinese). Acta Geol Sin, 2009, 83: 487–495
Gillespie A, Molnar P. Asynchronous maximum advances of mountain and continental glaciers. Rev Geophys, 1995, 33: 311–364
Phillips W M, Sloan V F, Shroder J F, et al. Asynchronous glaciation at Nanga Parbat northwestern Himalaya Mountains, Pakistau. Geology, 2000, 28: 431–434
Xu L B, Ou X J, Lai Z P, et al. Timing and style of Late Pleistocene glaciation in the Queer Shan, northern Hengduan Mountains in the eastern Tibetan Plateau. J Quat Sci, 2010, 25: 957–966
Cui Z J, Yang C F, Liu G N, et al. The Quaternary glaciation of Shesan Mountain in Taiwan and glacial classification in monsoon areas. Quat Int, 2002, 97/98: 147–153
Yao T D, Thompson L G, Shi Y F, et al. Climate variation since the Last Interglaciation recorded in the Guliya ice core. Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci, 1997, 40: 662–668
Shi Y F, Yao T D. MIS3b (54-44 ka BP) cold period and glacial advance in middle and low latitudes (in Chinese). J Glaciol Geocryol, 2002, 24: 1–9
Wu J L, Wang S M, Shi Y F, et al. Temperature estimation by oxygen-stable record over the past 200 ka in Zogê basin. Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci, 2000, 43: 577–586
Wu J L, Wang S M, Pan H X, et al. Climatic variations in the past 140 ka recorded in core RM, east Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci, 1997, 40: 443–448
Zhang H C, Wünnemann B, Ma Y Z, et al. Lake level and climate changes between 42000 and 18000 14C yr BP in the Tengger Desert, Northwestern China. Quat Res, 2002, 58: 62–72
Herzschuh U. Palaeo-moisture evolution in monsoonal Central Asia during the last 50000 years. Quat Sci Rev, 2006, 25: 163–178
Tang L Y, Shen C M, Liao G B, et al. Climatic changes in southeastern Tibet since LGM. Sci China Ser D-Earth Sci, 2004, 47: 436–442
Lisiecki L E, Raymo M E. A Pliocene-Pleistocene stack of 57 globally distributed benthic δ 18O records. Paleoceanography, 2005, 20: PA1003
Ziegler M. Orbital forcing of the late Pleistocene boreal summer monsoon: Links to North Atlantic cold events and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation. Dissertation for the Doctoral Degree. Utrecht: Utrecht University, 2009. 38–39
Lü R R, Zhao H L. Debris flow activity and environmental change on the eastern slope of Mt. Gongga during the Holocene (in Chinese). In: Chen F B, Luo J, eds. Ecological and Envirionmental Studies of High Mountain in the Mt. Gongga (Vol. 2). Beijing: China Meteorological Press, 1988. 90–101
Li C S. Problem on the water conservancy of the Moxi Platform, Luding, Xikang Province (in Chinese). Geol Rev, 1939, 4: 367–372
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wang, J., Pan, B., Zhang, G. et al. Late Quaternary glacial chronology on the eastern slope of Gongga Mountain, eastern Tibetan Plateau, China. Sci. China Earth Sci. 56, 354–365 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-012-4514-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-012-4514-0