Glaciers, Permafrost and Lake Levels at the Tsengel Khairkhan Massif, Mongolian Altai, During the Late Pleistocene and Holocene
Understanding paleo—and recent environmental changes and the dynamics of individual drivers of water availability is essential for water resources management in the Mongolian Altai. Here, we follow a holistic approach to uncover changes in glaciers, permafrost, lake levels and climate at the Tsengel...
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MDPI AG
2017-08-01
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| Series: | Geosciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/7/3/73 |
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| author | Michael Walther Avirmed Dashtseren Ulrich Kamp Khurelbaatar Temujin Franz Meixner Caleb G. Pan Yadamsuren Gansukh |
| author_facet | Michael Walther Avirmed Dashtseren Ulrich Kamp Khurelbaatar Temujin Franz Meixner Caleb G. Pan Yadamsuren Gansukh |
| author_sort | Michael Walther |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Understanding paleo—and recent environmental changes and the dynamics of individual drivers of water availability is essential for water resources management in the Mongolian Altai. Here, we follow a holistic approach to uncover changes in glaciers, permafrost, lake levels and climate at the Tsengel Khairkhan massif. Our general approach to describe glacier and lake level changes is to combine traditional geomorphological field mapping with bathymetric measurements, satellite imagery interpretation, and GIS analyses. We also analysed climate data from two nearby stations, and measured permafrost temperature conditions at five boreholes located at different elevations. We identified four glacial moraine systems (M4-M1) and attribute them to the period from the penultimate glaciation (MIS 4/5) until the Little Ice Age (MIS 1). During the Local Last Glacial Maximum (LLGM; MIS 2), a glacier reached down into the western Kharganat Valley and blocked it, resulting in the formation of the endorheic Khar Lake basin. Subsequently, the lake was fed mainly by precipitation and permafrost meltwater. In recent years, glaciers have been in strong recession, yet Khar Lake levels have remained relatively stable, which is in contrast to mainly decreasing lake levels in other regions throughout Mongolia. While temperatures in the Altai are increasing (leading to increasing evaporation), precipitation in higher elevations has increased, which—in addition to increased glacier and permafrost melting—would counteract the increasing aridity effects. A systematic and holistic monitoring of glaciers, permafrost, lake levels and climate in the Mongolian Altai is necessary, and results from (sub-)disciplines need to be correlated. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T04:18:54Z |
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| issn | 2076-3263 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T04:18:54Z |
| publishDate | 2017-08-01 |
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| series | Geosciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-6cf87854930a4ac9b93b92a8d212a8972022-12-21T23:17:26ZengMDPI AGGeosciences2076-32632017-08-01737310.3390/geosciences7030073geosciences7030073Glaciers, Permafrost and Lake Levels at the Tsengel Khairkhan Massif, Mongolian Altai, During the Late Pleistocene and HoloceneMichael Walther0Avirmed Dashtseren1Ulrich Kamp2Khurelbaatar Temujin3Franz Meixner4Caleb G. Pan5Yadamsuren Gansukh6Institute of Geography and Geoecology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, P.O.B. 361, Ulaanbaatar 14192, MongoliaInstitute of Geography and Geoecology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, P.O.B. 361, Ulaanbaatar 14192, MongoliaDepartment of Geography, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USAInstitute of Geography and Geoecology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, P.O.B. 361, Ulaanbaatar 14192, MongoliaDepartment of Atmospheric Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 55128 Mainz, GermanySystems Ecology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USAInstitute of Geography and Geoecology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, P.O.B. 361, Ulaanbaatar 14192, MongoliaUnderstanding paleo—and recent environmental changes and the dynamics of individual drivers of water availability is essential for water resources management in the Mongolian Altai. Here, we follow a holistic approach to uncover changes in glaciers, permafrost, lake levels and climate at the Tsengel Khairkhan massif. Our general approach to describe glacier and lake level changes is to combine traditional geomorphological field mapping with bathymetric measurements, satellite imagery interpretation, and GIS analyses. We also analysed climate data from two nearby stations, and measured permafrost temperature conditions at five boreholes located at different elevations. We identified four glacial moraine systems (M4-M1) and attribute them to the period from the penultimate glaciation (MIS 4/5) until the Little Ice Age (MIS 1). During the Local Last Glacial Maximum (LLGM; MIS 2), a glacier reached down into the western Kharganat Valley and blocked it, resulting in the formation of the endorheic Khar Lake basin. Subsequently, the lake was fed mainly by precipitation and permafrost meltwater. In recent years, glaciers have been in strong recession, yet Khar Lake levels have remained relatively stable, which is in contrast to mainly decreasing lake levels in other regions throughout Mongolia. While temperatures in the Altai are increasing (leading to increasing evaporation), precipitation in higher elevations has increased, which—in addition to increased glacier and permafrost melting—would counteract the increasing aridity effects. A systematic and holistic monitoring of glaciers, permafrost, lake levels and climate in the Mongolian Altai is necessary, and results from (sub-)disciplines need to be correlated.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/7/3/73environmental changeclimateglacierHolocenelakeMongolian AltaipermafrostPleistocene |
| spellingShingle | Michael Walther Avirmed Dashtseren Ulrich Kamp Khurelbaatar Temujin Franz Meixner Caleb G. Pan Yadamsuren Gansukh Glaciers, Permafrost and Lake Levels at the Tsengel Khairkhan Massif, Mongolian Altai, During the Late Pleistocene and Holocene Geosciences environmental change climate glacier Holocene lake Mongolian Altai permafrost Pleistocene |
| title | Glaciers, Permafrost and Lake Levels at the Tsengel Khairkhan Massif, Mongolian Altai, During the Late Pleistocene and Holocene |
| title_full | Glaciers, Permafrost and Lake Levels at the Tsengel Khairkhan Massif, Mongolian Altai, During the Late Pleistocene and Holocene |
| title_fullStr | Glaciers, Permafrost and Lake Levels at the Tsengel Khairkhan Massif, Mongolian Altai, During the Late Pleistocene and Holocene |
| title_full_unstemmed | Glaciers, Permafrost and Lake Levels at the Tsengel Khairkhan Massif, Mongolian Altai, During the Late Pleistocene and Holocene |
| title_short | Glaciers, Permafrost and Lake Levels at the Tsengel Khairkhan Massif, Mongolian Altai, During the Late Pleistocene and Holocene |
| title_sort | glaciers permafrost and lake levels at the tsengel khairkhan massif mongolian altai during the late pleistocene and holocene |
| topic | environmental change climate glacier Holocene lake Mongolian Altai permafrost Pleistocene |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/7/3/73 |
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