High Resolution Palaeoclimatic Changes in Selected Sectors of the Indian Himalaya by Using Speleothems

Past Climatic Changes Using Cave Structures

verfasst von: Dr. Anoop Kumar Singh

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Buchreihe : Springer Theses

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Über dieses Buch

This thesis encompasses a study of past precipitation patterns based on six cave stalagmites from different parts of the Indian Himalaya. This is the first speleothem study in the Indian Himalaya that shows a direct relationship between past precipitation and the collapse of civilization. The stalagmites examined were KL-3 from Jammu and Kashmir; TCS and BR-1 from Himachal Pradesh; and DH-1, SA-1 and CH-1 from Uttarakhand. Based on the high-resolution palaeoclimatic reconstruction (35 U/th dates, 5 AMS dates, 1,500 samples for δ18O and δ13C values) obtained for the duration of the Pleistocene–Holocene transition (16.2–9.5 ka BP) and Mid-Holocene–Present (ca. 4.0 ka BP–Present), three major events were identified, namely the Older Dryas (OD), Bølling–Allerød (BA) period and Younger Dryas (YD) at ca. 14.3–13.9, 13.9–12.7 and 12.7–12.2 ka BP, respectively. The study showed a gradual reduction in the precipitation from 4 ka BP onwards for about a millennium with a peak arid period between 3.2 and 3.1 ka BP. According to the findings, the LIA (Little Ice Age) covers a time span from 1622–1820 AD, during which the climate was wetter than that in the post-LIA period (1820–1950 AD). In addition, this thesis supports the assumption that the WDs (Western Disturbances) contribute significantly to the total rainfall in the Himalaya region.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. Introduction

Abstract

Monsoon is one of the complex rain bearing features of Earth’s climate. The Asian Monsoon System (ASM) is a large and most extensive monsoon pattern in the world as well as important component of global climate system.

Anoop Kumar Singh

Chapter 2. Speleothems and Climate

Abstract

The Karst topography describes the dissolution of underlying soluble rocks by surface water or ground water. This is commonly found in carbonate terrain (limestone and dolomite) in mountainous regions. The rain water infiltrates through the cracks of the rocks in the vertical manner until it reaches the water table and thereafter, it moves horizontally below the surface of water table. The conditions of this process are, (1) exposure of thick limestone cover the ground surface, and (2) limestone cover overlain by non soluble rocks. The discernible character of the karst topography is simply known as caves and sinkholes.

Anoop Kumar Singh

Chapter 3. Studied Speleothems and Methodology

Abstract

Considering the vast expansion of limestone host rock throughout the Himalaya, we studied six caves in the different sectors (Fig. 3.1) under varying precipitation regimes. These are, Kalakot Cave (33°13′19″ N: 74°25′33″ E; altitude, 826 m) from Jammu and Kashmir; Borar Cave (30°38′18″ N: 77°39′09″ E; altitude, 1622 m) and Tityana Cave (30°38′30.7″ N: 77° 39′07.4″ E; altitude, 1470 m) from Himachal Pradesh; Dharamjali Cave (29°31′27.8″ N: 80°12′40.3″ E; altitude, 2200 m), Sainji Cave (30°16′07″ N: 79°18′14″ E; altitude, 1478 m) and Chulerasim Cave (29°53′08″ N: 79°21′06″ E; altitude, 1254 m) from Uttarakhand.

Anoop Kumar Singh

Chapter 4. Results

Abstract

Four U/Th dates (Table 4.1) were obtained, i.e., 10, 10.4, 13.1 and 14.9 ka BP (Fig. 4.1a). The ²³⁰Th dates from stalagmite and regression through origin indicate an age of 16.4 ka BP at the bottom and 9.5 ka BP near the top (Fig. 4.1b). The ages are similar by both methods. However, we used StalAge for further analysis interpretation. Based on the age model, the stalagmite covers a time span of 16.2–9.5 ka BP.

Anoop Kumar Singh

Chapter 5. Summary and Conclusion

Abstract

Since the response of precipitation over the Indian subcontinent has not been completely linear, the ISM and WDs have distinctly different origin and dynamics (Sarkar et al. in Earth Planet Sci Lett 177:209–218, 2000). We suggest that the impact of WDs in the Himalayan region makes the monsoonal system complex to understand its behavior. High resolution palaeoclimatic records are insufficient from the Himalaya, therefore, the present records may be helpful to develop the models for ISM variability and WDs through an improved understanding of the monsoon-climate interaction. The records are also helpful to reveal the complex nature of ISM and its relationship with different climatic phenomena, e.g., ENSO, NAO and tropical mid latitude interactions.

Anoop Kumar Singh

Backmatter

Titel: High Resolution Palaeoclimatic Changes in Selected Sectors of the Indian Himalaya by Using Speleothems
verfasst von: Dr. Anoop Kumar Singh
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-319-73597-9
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-73596-2
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73597-9