Climatic significance of δ 18O records from an 80.36 m ice core in the East Rongbuk Glacier, Mount Qomolangma (Everest)

Abstract

The δ 18O variations in an 80.36 m ice core retrieved in the accumulation zone of the East Rongbuk Glacier, Mount Qomolangma (Everest), is not consistent with changes of air temperature from both southern and northern slopes of Himalayas, as well as these of the temperature anomalies over the Northern Hemisphere. The negative relationship between the δ 18O and the net accumulation records of the ice core suggests the “amount effect” of summer precipitation on the δ 18O values in the region. Therefore, the δ 18O records of the East Rongbuk ice core should be a proxy of Indian Summer Monsoon intensity, which shows lower δ 18O values during strong monsoon phases and higher values during weak phases.