Extent, timing and paleoclimatic significance of glaciation in the High Atlas, Morocco

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorHughes, PDen_AU
dc.contributor.authorFenton, Cen_AU
dc.contributor.authorFink, Den_AU
dc.contributor.authorSchnabel, Cen_AU
dc.contributor.authorRother, Hen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2011-10-19T05:08:26Zen_AU
dc.date.available2011-10-19T05:08:26Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2011-07-21en_AU
dc.date.statistics2011-10-19en_AU
dc.description.abstractGlacial geomorphological mapping, 10Be terrestrial cosmogenic isotope analyses and palaeoglacier-climate modelling in the highest peaks of the Atlas Mountains, Morocco (31.1°N, 7.9°W), provides new and novel data toward understanding the history and evolution of the largest desert region on Earth. The Atlas Mountains display evidence of extensive and multiple Pleistocene glaciations. The largest ice field and valley glaciers formed in the Toubkal massif. Here, the oldest moraines have yielded 10Be ages scattered in the range 74-31 ka. A later phase of glaciation is dated to c. 24 ka. Moraines belonging to a third phase of glaciation has yielded a series of very close exposure ages (within error) at around 12 ka, and falling within the Younger Dryas (12.9-11.7 ka). The glacial record of the High Atlas effectively reflects moisture supply to the north-western Sahara Desert and can provide an indication of shifts between arid and pluvial conditions. The low altitude of the glaciations in all three glacial episodes indicate that climate was not only significantly cooler than today, but also very much wetter. The new evidence on the extent, timing and palaeoclimatic significance of glaciations in this region has major implications for understanding moisture transfer between the North Atlantic Ocean and the Sahara Desert during Pleistocene cold stages. The findings are highly significant for understanding atmospheric circulation during pluvial phases recorded in the Sahara, such as during the African Humid Period at the Pleistocene/Holocene transition (15 to 6 ka). Glacier advance in the High Atlas during this interval provides insight into the seasonal distribution of precipitation and provides valuable insight into the respective roles of moisture supply from the North Atlantic depressions and the West African Monsoon. This in turn then has important bearing on the strengths of meridional vs. zonal circulation at mid-latitudes during pluvial phases. Copyright (c) 2011 INQUA 18en_AU
dc.identifier.citationHughes, P., Fenton, C., Fink, D., Schnabel, C., Rother, H. (2011). Extent, timing and palaeoclimatic significance of glaciation in the High Atlas, Morocco. Presentation to the 18th International Union for Quaternary Research Congress, 21th-27th July 2011, Berne Switzerland.en_AU
dc.identifier.conferenceenddate31 July 2011en_AU
dc.identifier.conferencename18th International Union for Quaternary Research Congressen_AU
dc.identifier.conferenceplaceBerne, Switzerlanden_AU
dc.identifier.conferencestartdate27 July 2011en_AU
dc.identifier.govdoc3234en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://www.inqua2011.ch/?a=programme&subnavi=abstract&id=864en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/3836en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisher18th INQUA Congressen_AU
dc.subjectMoroccoen_AU
dc.subjectGeomorphologyen_AU
dc.subjectMappingen_AU
dc.subjectIsotope ratioen_AU
dc.subjectClimate modelsen_AU
dc.subjectBeryllium 10en_AU
dc.titleExtent, timing and paleoclimatic significance of glaciation in the High Atlas, Moroccoen_AU
dc.typeConference Presentationen_AU
Files
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.71 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Conference Publications