Glacial Geomorphological Map (1:200 000) of Mt. Tomur Region, Tianshan (Abstract)

Abstract

The Glacial Geomorphological Map (1:200 000) of Mt, Tomur Region, Tianshan, covers 78°33′ – 81°10′E and 41° 08′ – 42° 44′N, with high mountains, deep valleys and many snow peaks, the highest being Mt. Tomur (7435.3 a.s.l.). There are many glaciers in this region with a total area of 4553.69 km2. The melt water from glaciers irrigates the large oasis of Aksu, in the piedmont region in southern Xingjiang and waters the valley plain of Teks River in the Yili area. From piedmont plain to highest mountain summit, the vertical zonality of geomorphology is quite clear, rich in various geomorphological types, representing alpine geomorphology of the arid desert in Central Asia. The author joined the glacial/geomorphological expedition to the Mt. Tomur Region in 1963, 1973 and 1974, and, in the process of mapping, cooperated closely with mapping engineers. This involved extensive use of aerial photographs, satellite images, large-scale topographic maps, geological maps, geomorphological maps and other data, and comprehensive analyses, comparisons, and judgements of data. Special emphasis was placed on existing glaciers and the geomorphology of Quaternary glaciers, according to form, composition and relative chronological periods. The geomorphology was divided into five great systems, i.e. glacial, fluvio-glacial, fluvial, arid and artificial. Twenty-four geomorphic types were defined as the basic elements of the geomorphological map and shown in different colours and by various marks, while old and Neozoic faults were shown by black line marks. There are representative heights on all geomorphological zones. Colour brush-shading added much to the stereo effect. Below the main map, the longitudinal and cross sections of Quaternary geology and geomorphology of the Tialan valley, the stratigraphical columnar profile of West Zamtia and the fluvial/lacustrine deposit profile of the Loska basin were attached, showing the stratigraphical relation between the glacial and non-glacial deposit and the basis for the divisions of the glacial and inter-glacial periods.