Last interglacial-glacial cycle and an attempt to reconstruct Würmian paleohumidity of the European Alps

Abstract

A lot of paleoenvironmental surveys have been carried out in the Alpine region to elucidate glacier extension during the Last Glacial or the Wurmian (115 – 12 ka BP). However, the evidence of past glaciations differs greatly between Western and Eastern Alps, while contrast between Southern and Northern Alps is not evident. The main purpose of this paper is to interpret variability of humidity during the last interglacial-glacial cycle in the Alpine region, based on results of various surveys performed in the Alpine region. Results show that distribution of moisture throughout th e Alps was most even during the Late Wurmian, while precipitation was mainly concentrated in the (North)Western Alps during the Early Wurmian and in the (North)Western and along all the Southern Alps during the Middle Wurmian. The Eastern Alps were rather dry during both episodes. Such moisture distribution can be explained by paths of prevailing winds. Moisture distribution is directly linked with atmospheric and oceanic circulation.