Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-14-2019

Embargo Period

1-14-2020

Publication Title

Journal of Quaternary Science

Abstract

New cosmogenic 10Be surface exposure ages from seventeen moraine boulders in the Mosquito Range suggest that glaciers were at their late Pleistocene (Pinedale) maximum extent at ~21–20 ka, and that ice recession commenced prior to ~17 ka. These age limits suggest that the Pinedale Glaciation was synchronous within the Colorado Rocky Mountain region. Locally, the previous (Bull Lake) glaciation appears to have occurred no later than 117 ka, possibly ~130 ka allowing for reasonable rock weathering rates. Temperature-index modeling is used to determine the magnitude of temperature depression required to maintain steady-state mass balances of seven reconstructed glaciers at their maximum extent. Assuming no significant differences in precipitation compared to modern values, mean annual temperatures were ~8.1 and 7.5 °C cooler, respectively, on the eastern and western slopes of the range with quantifiable uncertainties of +0.8/–0.9 °C. If an average temperature depression of 7.8 °C is assumed for the entire range, precipitation differences - that today are 15-30% greater on the eastern slope due to the influence of winter/early spring snowfall - might have been enhanced. The temperature depressions inferred here are consistent with similarly derived values elsewhere in the Colorado Rockies and those inferred from regional-scale climate modeling.

ISSN

1099-1417

Comments

"This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: [citation forthcoming] which has been published in final form at [link forthcoming]. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions."

This paper is embargoed for 12 months after publication, and will be available for download on January 14, 2020.

Primo Type

Article

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