Specificity in development of glaciation in the high mountains of Siberia - an ecological aspect

• Main Authors: Sheinkman, Vladimir S.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: оледенение; многолетняя мерзлота; экологический анализ; Сибирь; Ice; permafrost; Siberia
• Online Access: http://vital.lib.tsu.ru/vital/access/manager/Repository/vtls:000708794

Glaciation in the High Mountains of Siberia has been notable for its specificity and characterized by the interaction of glaciers and permafrost. The combined activities of these agents determine development of such ecological phenomena as cryogenic-glacial systems (CGS). It requires an individual approach to each of the landforms and sediment bodies to determine if they can be interpreted as the relics of ancient glaciations. Most types of the CGS may be observed today along the mountainous belt surrounding Siberia from the south and east. They represent the key to estimate ecological situation and to reconstruct Quaternary environments because the range of climatic differences along this belt today is comparable to the range of climatic changes between Pleistocene glacial and interglacial conditions. All over the Pleistocene the continental climate promoted spreading of permafrost under arid conditions in Siberia ('cryoaridization'). Under such conditions glaciers developed only within the high mountains as valley forms. Consequently glacial activity was inseparably linked with cryogenic ice bodies icings were the most active agents among them. The latter occupied great areas and were comparable with the glaciers both in ice. Thus ecological analysis on the base of study of CGS must take into account the specificity.