GEOMORPHOLOGICAL CORRELATION OF LATE PLEISTOCENE GLACIAL COMPLEXES OF WESTERN AND EASTERN BERINGIA

Abstract

Many fundamental problems exist in comparing the chronology and correlation of Late Pleistocene glaciations between Western and Eastern Beringia. However, geomorphological analysis, complemented by palynological studies and radiocarbon age estimates of glacial complexes found in the Ulakhan-Chistai, Bolshoi Annachag, and Pekulney ranges, northeastern Russia, and the Kigluaik Mountains and Brooks Range, Alaska, allow for broad comparisons. The data clearly confirm that in all regions the latest late Pleistocene glaciation (24.0–10.5ka) was restricted in extent and characterized by well-defined valley glaciers and coalescing valley glacier complexes emanating from local mountain centers. Differences in glacier size were due to local orographic and climatological characteristics.