Annual Accumulation in the Mt. Nyainqentanglha Ice Core, Southern Tibetan Plateau, China: Relationships To Atmospheric Circulation over Asia

Abstract

Annual accumulation records covering the period A.D. 1952–1998 were reconstructed using a 29.5-m ice core from the col of the Lanong Glacier (5850 m a.s.l.) on the eastern saddle of Mt. Nyainqentanglha, southern Tibetan Plateau. Using NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis data, we explore the relationships between this ice-core accumulation record and primary components of the climate system. Linear correlation analysis between annual accumulation and climate components for the 47-yr overlap period indicates that annual accumulation variations are closely correlated with sea-surface and 500-mb air temperature over the North Indian Ocean and atmospheric circulation (surface pressure and geopotential height) over Asia (r > 0.34, P < 0.01). An intensification of atmospheric circulation and increase of sea-surface and air temperatures, resulting in intensified moisture availability and moisture transport, have been a major cause for the increase of ice-core accumulation over the Mt. Nyainquentanglha region since the 1980s.