Abstract
We present geomorphological evidence for multiple glacial fluctuations during the Quaternary in the Taniantaweng Mountain, which is situated at the transition zone of the southeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. To reconstruct the history of glacial evolution during the Quaternary Glaciation, we present a ~13000 km2 geomorphologic map (1:440,000) for the Quaternary glaciations, as well as three electron spin resonance (ESR) ages and three optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages from the landforms. By integrating these with ages from previous studies, four major glacial advances are identified during marine oxygen isotope stages (MIS) 6, 3, 2 and 1. This glacial chronology is in reasonable agreement with existing glacial chronologies from other parts of the Hengduan Mountains and surrounding mountains. Glaciers had extended to the Yuqu River during the glacial maximum advance (MIS 6), but became successively more restricted from MIS 3 to MIS 1. The glacial distribution show that precipitation brought by the south Asian monsoon might play a primary role in driving glacial advances during the last glacial period in the southeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aitken MJ (1998) An introduction to optical dating. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Benn DI, Owen LA (1998) The role of the Indian summer monsoon and the mid-latitude westerlies in Himalayan glaciation: Review and speculative discussion. Journal of the Geological Society 155(2): 353–363. https://doi.org/10.1144/gsjgs.155.2.0353
Benn DI, Owen LA (2002) Himalayan glacial sedimentary environments: a framework for reconstructing and dating the former extent of glaciers in high mountains. Quaternary International 97-98: 3–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1040-6182(02)00048-4
Bi WL, Yi CL (2016) Review of ESR dating technique in Quaternary glacial chronology. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology 38(5): 1292–1299 (In Chinese).
Cui ZJ, Chen YX, Zhang W, et al. (2011) Research History, glacial chronology and origins of Quaternary glaciations in China. Quaternary Sciences 31(5): 749–764 (In Chinese). https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-7410.2011.05.01
Dortch JM, Owen LA, Caffee MW (2013) Timing and climatic drivers for glaciation across semi-arid western Himalayan-Tibetan orogen. Quaternary Science Reviews 78: 188–208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2013.07.025
Fu P, Heyman J, Hättestrand C, et al. (2012) Glacial geomorphology of the Shaluli Shan area, southeastern Tibetan Plateau. Journal of Maps 8(1): 48–55. https://doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2012.668762
Fu P, Stroeven AP, Harbor JM, et al. (2014) Paleoglaciation of Shaluli Shan, southeastern Tibetan Plateau. Quaternary Science Reviews 64(433): 121–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2012.12.009
Fuchs M, Owen LA (2008) Luminescence dating of glacial and associated sediments: review, recommendations and future directions. Boreas 37: 636–659. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1502-3885.2008.00052.x
Gao L, Ying GM, Liu CR, et al. (2009) Nature sunlight bleaching of Ti center ESR signal in quartz. He Jishu/Nuclear Techniques 32(2): 116–118. https://doi.org/10.3321/j.issn:0253-3219.2009.02.010
Lai ZP (2010) Chronology and the upper dating limit for loess samples from Luochuan section in Chinese Loess Plateau using quartz OSL SAR protocol. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 37: 176–185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2009.08.003
Lehmkuhl F, Owen LA (2005) Late Quaternary glaciation of Tibet and the bordering mountains: a review. Boreas 34(2): 87–100. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1502-3885.2005.tb01008.x
Li JJ (1991) The environmental effects of the uplift of the Qinghai- Xizang Plateau. Quaternary Science Reviews 10(6): 479–483. https://doi.org/10.1016/0277-3791(91)90041-R
Li JJ, Zheng BX, Yang XJ, et al. (1986) The series of the scientific expedition to Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Science Press, Beijing (In Chinese).
Lindholm MS, Heyman J (2015) Glacial geomorphology of the Maidika region, Tibetan Plateau. Journal of Maps 12: 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2015.1078182
Liu BB, Zhang W, Cui ZJ, et al. (2015) Climate-tectonics coupling effect on Late Quaternary Glaciation in the Mayaxue Shan, Gansu Province. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology 37(3): 701–710. (In Chinese). https://doi.org/10.7522/j.issn.1000-0240.2015.0079
Liu CR, Yin GM, Gao L, et al. (2010) ESR dating of Pleistocene archaeological localities of the Nihewan Basin, North China - Preliminary results. Quaternary Geochronology 5(2-3): 385–390. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quageo.2009.05.006
Liu GN, Li YK, Chen YX, et al. (2011) Glacial landform chronology and environment reconstruction of Peiku Gangri. Himalayas. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology 33: 959–970. (In Chinese)
Liu CR, Yin GM, Gao L, et al. (2011) Research advances in ESR geochronology of Quaternary deposits. Seismology and Geology 2(33): 490–498. (In Chinese). https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.0253-4967.2011.02.022
Liu CR, Yin GM, Grün R (2013) Research Progress of the Resetting Features of Quartz ESR Signal. Advances in Earth Science 28(1): 24–30. (In Chinese). https://doi.org/10.11867/j.issn.1001-8166.2013.01.0024
Liu CR, Yin GM, Han F, et al. (2016) ESR dating methodology and its application in dating Quaternary terrestrial sediments. Quaternary Sciences 36(5): 1236–1245. (In Chinese). https://doi.org/10.11928/j.issn.1001-7410.2016.05.18
Lisiecki, LE, Raymo, ME (2005) A Pliocene-Pleistocene stack of 57 globally distributed benthic δ18O records. Paleoceanography 20(1): 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1029/2004PA001071
Murray AS, Wintle AG (2000) Luminescence dating of quartz using an improved single-aliquot regenerative-dose protocol. Radiation Measurements 32(1): 57–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1350-4487(99)00253-X
Norton KP, Abbuhl LM, Schlunegger F (2010) Glacial conditioning as an erosional driving force in the Central Alps. Geology 38(7): 655–658. https://doi.org/10.1130/G31102.1
Ou XJ, Lai ZP, Zhou SZ, et al. (2014) Timing of glacier fluctuations and trigger mechanisms in eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau during the late Quaternary. Quaternary Research 81(3): 464–475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yqres.2013.09.007
Owen LA, Robinson R, Benn DI, et al. (2009) Quaternary glaciation of Mount Everest. Quaternary Science Reviews 28(15): 1412–1433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2009.02.010
Owen LA, Dortch JM (2014) Nature and timing of Quaternary glaciation in the Himalayan-Tibetan orogen. Quaternary Science Reviews 88(88): 14–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2013.11.016
Owen LA, Finkel RC, Barnard PL, et al. (2005) 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. Quaternary Science Reviews 24(12): 1391–1411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2004.10.014
Owen LA, Finkel RC, Haizhou M, et al. (2003) Timing and style of Late Quaternary glaciation in northeastern Tibet. Geological Society of America Bulletin 115(11): 1356–1364. https://doi.org/10.1130/B25314.1
Prescott JR, Hutton JT (1994) Cosmic-ray contributions to doserates for luminescence and ESR dating-large depths and longterm time variations. Radiation Measurements 23(2-3): 497–500. https://doi.org/10.1016/1350-4487(94)90086-8
Richards B (2000) Luminescence dating of Quaternary sediments in the Himalaya and High Asia: A practical guide to its use and limitations for constraining the timing of glaciation. Quaternary International 65-66: 49–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1040-6182(99)00036-1
Rink WJ, Bartoll J, Schwarcz HP, et al. (2007) Testing the reliability of ESR dating of optically exposed buried quartz sediments. Radiation Measurements 42(10): 1618–1626. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radmeas.2007.09.005
Shi YF, Huang MH, Ren BH (1988) An introduction to the glaciers in China contents. Science Press, Beijing (In Chinese).
Shi YF, Liu SY (2000) Estimation on the response of glaciers in China to the global warming in the 21st century. Chinese Science Bulletin 45 (7): 668–672. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02886048
Shi YF (2002) Characteristics of late Quaternary monsoonal glaciation on the Tibetan Plateau and in East Asia. Quaternary International 97(2): 79–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1040-6182(02)00053-8
Shi YF, Yao TD (2002) MIS 3b (54-44 ka BP) cold period and glacial advance in middle and low latitudes. Journal of Glaciolgy and Geocryology 24(1): 1–9. (In Chinese).
Su Z, Pu JC (1996) Development conditions, Number and morphological characteristics of glaciers in the Hengduan Mountains region. In: Li JJ, Su, Z 1996. Glaciers in the Hengduan Mountains. Science Press, Beijing, pp. 1–21 (In Chinese).
Tanaka K, Hataya R, Spooner NA, et al. (1997) Dating of marine terrace sediments by ESR, TL and OSL methods and their applicabilities. Quaternary Science Reviews 16(3-5): 257–264. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-3791(96)00092-3
Tang LY, Shen CM, Liu KB, et al. (2004) Climatic changes since the Last Glacial Maximum in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau: pollen evidence. Science in China 34(34): 434–442. (in Chinese) https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-7240.2004.05.006
Tang LY, Shen CM, Kong ZZ, et al. (1998) Pollen evidence of climate during the Last Glacial Maximum in eastern Tibetan Plateau. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology 20(2): 133–140. (In Chinese).
Thrasher IM, Mauz B, Chiverrell RC, et al. (2009) Luminescence dating of glaciofluvial deposits: a review. Earth Science Reviews 97(1-4): 133–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2009.09.001
Tissoux H, Falguères C, Voinchet P, et al. (2007) Potential use of Ticenter in ESR dating of fluvial sediment. Quaternary Geochronology 2(1): 367–372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quageo.2006.04.006
Tissoux H, Toyoda S, Falguères C, et al. (2008) ESR dating of sedimentary quartz from two Pleistocene deposits using Al and Ti- Centers. Geochronometria 30(1): 23–31. https://doi.org/10.2478/v10003-008-0004-y
Tschudi S, Schafer JM, Zhao ZZ, et al. (2003) Glacial advances in Tibet during the younger dryas ? Evidence from cosmogenic 10Be, 26Al, and 21Ne. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 22(4): 301–306. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1367-9120(03)00035-X
Tsukamoto S, Asahi K, Watanabe T, et al. (2002) Timing of past glaciations in Kanchenjunga Himal, Nepal by optically stimulated luminescence dating of tills. Quaternary International 97-98: 57–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1040-6182(02)00051-4
Voinchet P, Falguères C, Tissoux H, et al. (2007) ESR dating of fluvial quartz: Estimate of the minimal distance transport required for getting a maximum optical bleaching. Quaternary Geochronology 2(1-4): 363–366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quageo.2006.04.010
Wang J, Pan BT, Zhang GL, et al. (2013) Late Quaternary glacial chronology on the eastern slope of Gongga Mountain, eastern Tibetan Plateau, China. Science China: Earth Sciences 56 (3): 354–365. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-012-4514-0
Wang J, Zhou SZ, Tang SL, et al. (2007) The Sequence of Quaternary glaciations around the Tanggula Pass. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology 29(1): 149–155. https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.2007.A1858
Xu LB, Ou XJ, Lai ZP, et al. (2010) Timing and style of Late Pleistocene glaciation in the Queer Shan, northern Hengduan Mountains in the eastern Tibetan Plateau. Journal of Quaternary Science 25(6): 957–966. https://doi.org/10.1002/jqs.1379
Xu LB, Zhou SZ (2009) Quaternary glaciations recorded by glacial and fluvial landforms in the Shaluli Mountains, South Eastern Tibetan Plateau. Geomorphology 103(2): 268–275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2008.04.015
Xu LB, Zhou SZ, Wang J (2005) Pleistocene glaciations in the Shaluli Shan and the influences of southwest monsoon on the glaciations during the last glacial period. Quaternary Sciences 25 (5): 620–629. (In Chinese)
Yang YC, Li BY, Yin ZS, et al. (1983) Geomorphology of Xizang. Science Press, Beijing, pp. 92–95 (In Chinese).
Yi CL, Bi WL, Li JP (2016) ESR dating of glacial moraine deposits: Some insights about the resetting of the germanium (Ge) signal measured in quartz. Quaternary Geochronology 35: 69–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quageo.2016.06.003
Yokoyama Y, Falgueres C, Quaegebeur JP (1985) ESR dating of quartz from quaternary sediments: First attempt. Nuclear Tracks & Radiation Measurements 10(4): 921–928. https://doi.org/10.1016/0735-245X(85)90109-7
Zhang W, Bi WL, Liu BB, et al. (2015) Geochronology constrainted on late Quaternary glaciation of Baimaxue Shan. Quaternary Sciences 35(1): 29–37 (In Chinese). https://doi.org/10.11928/j.issn.1001-7410.2015.01.03
Zhang W, Chai L (2016) The preliminary study of the Quaternary glacier in middle part of the Tenasserim Chain with ESR dating method. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology 38(5): 1281–1291. (In Chinese). https://doi.org/10.11928/j.issn.1000-0240.2016.0150
Zhang W, Cui ZJ, Li YH (2016) Quaternary glacial development and mechanism in the eastern margin of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau. Da Lian Maritime University Press, Dalian, pp. 1–104. (In Chinese)
Zhang W, Liu BB, Li YH, et al. (2014) Late Pleistocene glaciations on Qianhu Mountain, northwest Yunnan Province, China. Geografiska Annaler Series A: Physical Geography 96(3): 417–429. https://doi.org/10.1111/geoa.12041
Zhang W, Liu L, Chai L, et al. (2017) Characteristics of Quaternary glaciations using ESR dating method in the Luoji Mountain, Sichuan Province. Quaternary sciences 32(2): 281–292. (In Chinese) https://doi.org/10.11928/j.issn.1001-7410.2017.02.07
Zhao JD, Shi YF, Wang J (2011) Comparison between Quaternary Glaciations in China and the Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage (MIS): An Improved Schema. Acta Geographica Sinica 66(7): 867–884. (In Chinese). https://doi.org/10.11821/xb201107001
Zhao XT, Qu YX, Li TS (1999) Pleistocene glaciation along the eastern foot of the Yulong Mountains. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology 21(3): 242–248. (In Chinese)
Zhao XT, Wu ZH, Zhu DG, et al. (2002) Quaternary glaciation in the west Nyaiqentanglha Mountains. Quaternary sciences 22(5): 424–433. (In Chinese) https://doi.org/10.1080/12265080208422884
Zheng BX (2000) Quaternary glaciation and glacier evolution in the Yulong Mount, Yunnan. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology 22(1): 53–61. (In Chinese).
Zheng BX, Ma QH (1995) A Study on the Geomorphological Characteristics and Glaciations in Paleo-Daocheng Ice Cap, Western Sichuan. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology 17(1): 23–32. (In Chinese).
Zhou SZ, Wang J, Xu LB, et al. (2010) Glacial advances in southeastern Tibet during late Quaternary and their implications for climatic changes. Quaternary International 218(1): 58–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2009.11.026
Acknowledgements
This study was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 41671005, 41230743 and 41501068), the Distinguished Professor Programme of the Liaoning Province.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zhang, W., Chai, L., Evans, I. et al. Geomorphic features of Quaternary glaciation in the Taniantaweng Mountain, on the southeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. J. Mt. Sci. 16, 256–274 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-018-4977-3
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-018-4977-3