Re‐evaluation of MIS 3 glaciation using cosmogenic radionuclide and single grain luminescence ages, Kanas Valley, Chinese Altai. (9th November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gribenski, Natacha; Jansson, Krister N.; Preusser, Frank; Harbor, Jonathan M.; Stroeven, Arjen P.; Trauerstein, Mareike; Blomdin, Robin; Heyman, Jakob; Caffee, Marc W.; Lifton, Nathaniel A.; Zhang, Wei
• Is Part Of: Journal of quaternary science. Volume 33:Number 1(2018)
• Page Start: 55
• Page End: 67
• Publication Date: 2017-11-09
• Subjects: Central Asia -- cosmogenic exposure dating -- glaciation -- MIS 3 -- OSL dating; Geology, Stratigraphic -- Quaternary -- Periodicals; Paleontology -- Quaternary -- Periodicals; 551.79
• DOI: 10.1002/jqs.2998
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0267-8179

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Previous investigations observed a period of major glacial advances in Central Asia during marine oxygen isotope stage (MIS) 3 (57–29 ka), out of phase with global ice volume records. We have re‐examined the Kanas moraine complex in the Altai Mountains of Central Asia, where an MIS 3 glaciation had been previously inferred. New and consistent cosmogenic exposure and single‐grain luminescence ages indicate that the Kanas complex was formed during MIS 2 (29–12 ka), which brings its timing in line with the global ice volume record. We also identified a lateral moraine from a more extensive ice extent that dates to late MIS 5/MIS 4. To place our results in a wider contextual framework, we review the chronologies of another 26 proposed major MIS 3 glacial advances in Central Asia. For most of these sites, we find that the chronological data do not provide an unequivocal case for MIS 3 glaciation.