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Pant, R. K.
- Loess Deposits of Kashmir, Northwest Himalaya, India
Authors
1 Physical Research Laboratory, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad 380 009, IN
Source
Journal of Geological Society of India (Online archive from Vol 1 to Vol 78), Vol 28, No 4 (1986), Pagination: 289-297Abstract
The spatial and temporal variation of Kashmir loess deposits has been explained as the function of palaeotopographical configuration consequent to the Pir Panjal Range uplift datable at 0.4 m.y. At least three palaeosurfaces were available for loess deposition at different time intervals. Three types of loess-palaeosol profiles developed on these palaeosurfaces which show altitudinal differences. Stratigraphical correlation between different profiles was possible with the help of marker beds and soil typological parameters. Seven lithounits constitute the total loess-palaeosol succession in the basin. Soil types were recognised using sedimentological, mineralogical and microfabric parameters in addition to field criteria.- Clay Minerals as Indicators of the Provenance and Palaeoclimatic Record of the Kashmir Loess
Authors
1 III J Block, Komangala, Bangalore-560034, IN
2 Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad-380009, IN
Source
Journal of Geological Society of India (Online archive from Vol 1 to Vol 78), Vol 44, No 5 (1994), Pagination: 563-574Abstract
The provenance of Kashmir loess and its palaeoclimatic significance has been probed using minerological techniques. As many as ten palaeosols (buried soils) have been recognised within the loess profiles. Their mineralogical composition is almost uniform throughout the profilcs. Qu'artz is the dominamt mineral (>60% of the total) and is followed by feldspar and pyroxene suggesting that the loess is derived primalily from a region where both acid and basic rocks and their equivalent metamorphic derivatives predominate. The clay mineral suite consists principally of illite and stnectite, which are negatively correlated. Kaolinite and chlorite are also present (<10% each of total). elemental composition of the different lithounits generally correlate well with the mineralogical data. These studies suggest that the loess was derived from the rocks within the valley itself. Crystallinity parameters of illite are found to be very sensitive to Quaternary climate change and are correlated with deep sea palaeoclimatic record.Keywords
Clay Minerals, Palaeoclimate, Loess, Kashmir.- A Century-Scale Pollen Record of Vegetation and Climate History during the Past 3500 Years in the Pinder Valley, Kumaon Higher Himalaya, India
Authors
1 Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, 33 GMS Road, Dehra Dun - 248 001
2 Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, 33 GMS Road, Dehra Dun - 248 001, IN
Source
Journal of Geological Society of India (Online archive from Vol 1 to Vol 78), Vol 68, No Spl Iss 3 (2006), Pagination: 495-506Abstract
The first contribution on the high-resolution multi-proxy palaeoclimate records elucidating the Late Holocene (past ˜3500 years) climate hstory of the Uttaranchal Himalaya, comes from a well-dated 1 24-m thick Dhakuri peat deposit in the Kumaon Higher Himalaya Century-scale records Indicate that the Pinder Valley climate was predominantly cold between ˜3500 and 1600 cal yr B P, with two distinct dry episodes during 3300-2300 and 2100 - ca 1600 cal yr B P, separated by 3500-3300 and 2300-2100 cal yr B P periods of relatively moist conditrons Except for a centennial cold/dry event of 740-640 cal yr B P (˜1260-1360 cal AD), the climate shows progressive increase in wetness until the present, with higher temperatures for 1600-740 cal yr B P (˜ 400- 1260 cal AD), 640- 460 cal yr B P (˜1360-1540 cal AD), and 270-57 cal yr B P (˜1730-1940 cal AD) intervals, and relatively cold conditions during intermittent periods These climatic events are at variance with the late Holocene climate records from Bangong Co and the Sumxi Lake of western Tibet, but show good correspondence with contemporaneous records from the Dunde Ice cap, CentraI Nepal, the Ganga Plain, the Thar Desert and the Arabian Sea.
Significantly warm and moist ciimate documented between ca 1600 and 740 cal yr I3 P (ca 400-1260 cal AD) represents the Medieval Warm Period whereas the predominantly cold climate that prevailed between 460 and 270 cal yr B P (˜1540- 1730 cal AD) marks the Little Ice Age event in the Kumaon Higher Himalaya Upper tree-line trend deciphered from the pollen-inferred vegetation history indicates that it has ascended at an average rate of 15 m altitude/yr to around 900 m altitude since ca 1360 cal AD 640 cal yr B P).