Late<scp>Q</scp>uaternary glaciation in the<scp>N</scp>un‐<scp>K</scp>un massif, northwestern<scp>I</scp>ndia

Abstract

The late Q uaternary glacial history of the N un‐ K un massif, located on the boundary between the G reater H imalaya and the Z anskar range in northwestern I ndia, was reconstructed. On the basis of morphostratigraphy and 10 Be dating of glacial landforms (moraines and glacial trimlines), five glacial stages were recognized and defined, namely: (i) the A chambur glacial stage dated to M arine O xygen I sotope S tage 3 to 4 (38.7–62.7 ka); (ii) the T ongul glacial stage dated to the early part of the L ateglacial (16.7–17.4 ka); (iii) the A mantick glacial stage dated to the later part of the L ateglacial (14.3 ka, 11.7–12.4 ka); (iv) the L omp glacial stage dated to the L ittle I ce A ge; and (v) the T anak glacial stage, which has the youngest moraines, probably dating to the last few decades or so. Present and former equilibrium‐line altitudes ( ELA s) were calculated using the standard area accumulation ratio method. The average present‐day ELA of ∼4790 m above sea level in the G reater H imalaya is lower than those in the L adakh and Z anskar ranges, namely 5380 and ∼5900 m a.s.l., respectively. The ELA in the Z anskar range is higher than in the L adakh range, possibly due to the higher peaks in the L adakh range that are able to more effectively capture and store snow and ice. ELA depressions decrease towards the L adakh range (i.e. inner P lateau). Peat beds interbedded with aeolian deposits that cap the terminal moraine of T arangoz G lacier suggest millennial‐time‐scale climate change throughout the H olocene, with soil formation times at c . 1.5, c . 3.4 and c . 5.2 ka, probably coinciding with H olocene abrupt climate change events. Given the style and timing of glaciation in the study area, it is likely that climate in the N un‐ K un region is linked to N orthern H emisphere climate oscillations with teleconnections via the mid‐latitude westerlies.