Cryogeological phenomena in the North Pamir (Central Trans-Alai)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26485/BP/1964/14/15Keywords:
Pamir, Trans-Alai, cryogenic processes, solifluction, permafrost, frost structures, glaciation, aeolian processesAbstract
The paper presents results of cryogeological investigations conducted in the North Pamir (Central Trans-Alai) during the summer of 1961 as part of an international expedition to Lenin Peak (7,134 m). The author describes aeolian, glacial and periglacial processes within the Achik-Tash Valley and Alai Depression, analysing river terraces and glacigenic and solifluction deposits. Numerous cryogenic forms were observed – micro- and macro-polygons, thufurs, fossil solifluction structures and glaciosolifluction forms – along with evidence of frost weathering and aeolian erosion at high altitudes. These findings significantly contribute to the understanding of contemporary periglacial processes and the extent of mountain permafrost in the Pamir region.
References
Corte, A. E., 1953 - Contribución a la morfologia periglacial de la alta Cordillera, con especial mención al aspecto criopedológico. Anales del Dep. de Invest. Cient. de la Univ. Nac. Cuyo, t. 1, Mendoza.
Heim, A., 1936 - The glaciation and solifluction at Minya Gongkar. Geogr. Jour., vol. 87.
Klaer, W., 1962 - Untersuchungen zur klimagenetischen Geomorphologie in den Hochgebirge Vorderasien. Heidelberger Geogr. Arbeiten, H. 11.
Lliboutry, L., 1957 - Etudes de cryopédologie dans les Andes du Chili Central. Biuletyn Peryglacjalny, nr 5; p. 141-146.
Markov, K. K., 1934 - O poligonalnykh (yacheistykh) obrazovaniyakh severnogo Pamira (On the poligonal phenomena in northern Pamir). Izv. Gos. Geogr. Obshchestva, t. 66, p. 402-407, Leningrad-Moskva.
Odell, N. E., 1925 - Observations on the rocks and glaciers of Mount Everest. Geogr. Jour., vol. 66.
Poser, H., 1935 - Zur Bildung von Schneeschalen auf Schnee- Firn- und Eisfeldern. Ztschr. f. Gletscherkunde, Bd. 23; p. 92-98.
Prosová, M., Sekyra, J., 1960 - Microrelief périglaciaire dans la zone subnivale de Kazbek (Caucase). Biuletyn Peryglacjalny, nr 7; p. 89-93.
Sekyra, J., 1961 - Kvartér severozápadni Afriky (summary: The Quaternary of north-western Africa). Anthropozoikum, 10; p. 237-247, Praha.
Sekyra, J., 1964 - Results of the geological and geomorphological investigations in the Pamir (Central Trans-Alai). Sbornik geol. véd. A, 2, Praha.
Troll, C., 1944 - Strukturböden, Solifluktion und Frostklimate der Erde. Geol. Rundschau, Bd. 34; p. 545-694.
Wiche, K., 1962 - Le périglaciaire dans le Karakorum de l'Ouest. Biuletyn Peryglacjalny, nr 11; p. 103-110.
Zabirov, R. D., 1955 - Oledenenie Pamira (Glaciation in Pamir). Moskva, 370 pp.
