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First cosmic ray exposure dating ( in situ produced 10 Be) of the late pleistocene and holocene glaciation in the Nanhutashan Mountains (Taiwan)
Author(s) -
Carcaillet J.,
Siame L. L.,
Chu H.T.,
Bourlès D. L.,
Lu W.C.,
Angelier J.,
Dussouillez P.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
terra nova
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.353
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1365-3121
pISSN - 0954-4879
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3121.2007.00756.x
Subject(s) - glacial period , geology , holocene , deglaciation , glacier , surface exposure dating , glacial landform , pleistocene , physical geography , quaternary , landform , moraine , paleontology , geomorphology , geography
In Taiwan, efficient climate‐driven strong erosion processes are the leading cause for low preservation of geomorphic landforms. Despite the absence of present‐day glaciers, glacial relicts have been reported in high altitude areas. These scarce landforms provide opportunities for reconstructing the timing of the last deglaciation in a region where glacial history is poorly documented. We have collected boulders and striated bedrocks in the Nanhutashan area and calculated surface exposure ages based on in‐situ produced 10 Be concentrations. The oldest glacial remains, dated at 11.1 ± 3.3 ka, correspond to the last glacial advance. The Holocene is characterized by a continuous retreat of the ice‐cap until at least 7.2 ± 1.0 ka. Our results are in agreement with a scenario where changes of monsoon regimes lead to a strong reduction of the winter monsoon during the early Holocene, causing a decrease of snow supply and disequilibrium of the hydrological budget.