The lowermost last‐glacial equilibrium line altitude in the Taiwanese Central Mountain Range and its implications for the palaeoclimate and the tropospheric moisture transport in East Asia
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT The high mountains of Taiwan provide a unique location for Quaternary palaeoclimate research in East Asia and the north‐western Pacific. This study applies geomorphological field mapping and rock surface exposure dating with paired (10Be/26Al) in situ‐produced terrestrial cosmogenic nuclides to identify and date glacial landforms and boulders in a relatively low‐elevated (<3300 m) section of the Taiwanese Central Mountain Range, the southern Nenggao Shan. We propose two major glacial phases during the last glacial cycle: 1) During the Marine Isotope Stage 3 to the early Marine Isotope Stage 2, a small plateau glacier covered the main crest with a glacier equilibrium line altitude at 2800 m. This is the lowest ever reported equilibrium line altitude in Taiwan. The ice retreated during or just before the global Last Glacial Maximum. This is consistent with scenarios from other East Asian mountain ranges. 2) During the late glacial until the early Holocene, six cirque glaciers formed exclusively in east‐facing topographically favorable downwind positions. Their cirque floor elevations indicate an orographic equilibrium line altitude between 2700 m and 2800 m. These cirque positions confirm the dominant influence of the mid‐latitude westerlies above the shallow winter monsoon on the high‐altitude precipitation regime in East Asia.
Source: Journal of Quaternary Science
DOI: 10.1002/jqs.3714
Authors: Robert Hebenstreit, Jacob Hardt, Margot Böse
Institution: Freie Universität Berlin
Language: English
Subfield: Atmospheric Science
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Climate action
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,310
OpenAlex ID: W4409553178