Study of Holocene glacier degradation in central Asia by isotopic methods for long-term forecast of climate changes

Abstract

This article presents a summary of our studies of Holocene moraines and glaciers of the Tien-Shan, Pamir, and Himalaya mountains with the purpose of providing pattern regularity of the Holocene glaciation decomposition. We developed a method for obtaining reliable radiocarbon dating of moraines with the use of autochthonous organic matter dispersed in fine-grained morainic material, as well there were shown new possibilities of isotope-oxygen and isotope-uranium analysis for the Holocene glaciations dynamics. We found that Holocene glaciations disintegrate stadially according to the decaying principle, and seven main stages may be distinguished. We achieved the absolute dating of the first three stages, identifying these periods as 8,000, 5,000, and 3,400 years ago. The application of the above-mentioned isotope methods of the Holocene glaciations and moraines study will allow researchers to improve the offered model of the Holocene glaciations disintegration; it will be great contribution to salvation of the problem of long-term climatic and glaciations forecast.