Abstract
This article presents the information of the Georgian Caucasus glaciation at the Late Pleistocene and Holocene period (～126,000-11,700 calendar years ago). Our primary aim was to numerically reproduce the ice extent deduced from geological and geomorphological mapping. We used the analog method with the 30 m resolution SRTM DEM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission Digital Elevation Model). In addition, the rates of glaciation of those times are identified based on the stadial moraines and erratic boulders. The current investigation has revealed that in the Late Pleistocene, the central and western Caucasus characterized the highest glaciation, while the eastern Caucasus boasted the lowest glaciated area, and in the southern Georgia’s highland glaciation has almost the same form as there is in the Eastern Caucasus today. The longest glaciers were located in the Enguri (Nenskra ～36 km, Mulkhura ～35.1 km, Dolra ～34.5 km), Kodori (Sakeni ～25 km, Klichi ～20 km, Marukhi ～17.3 km) Rioni (Buba ～23 km, Kirtisho ～20.5 km, Jejora ～17.5 km) and Tergi (Devdoraki ～38.5 km, Suatisi ～32 km) river basins. We found, that topography thresholds related to the elevation and hypsometry of individual catchments controlled the gradient of the rate of glacier expansion in the domain at that time.
Highlights
One of the problematic issues of the studies of modern geographical science is the study of the paleoglacial issues
The old cirques are mostly originated during the glaciation of the Late Pleistocene
We have presented the Late Pleistocene and Holocene glacier simulation of the entire Georgian Caucasus, using analog method and guiding constraints from geological data
Summary
One of the problematic issues of the studies of modern geographical science is the study of the paleoglacial issues. The changes in the natural physical-geographical conditions in the earth surface in the Upper Quaternary and Holocene. Tielidze 518 are much depended on the glaciation dynamics. The glaciers in this period changed the structure of the geosphere, but they established the new relationship between the geographical elements. It is known that in the Quaternary Age, the earth surface was subject to multiple glaciations and there are many views about the limits of their extension. Sometimes, these views complement each other, but sometimes they are mutually exclusive
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
