Climatically Driven Holocene Glacier Advances in the Russian Altai Based on Radiocarbon and OSL Dating and Tree Ring Analysis

Analysis of new chronological data, including 55 radiocarbon, 1 OSL, and 8 dendrochronological dates, obtained in the upper reaches trough valleys within Katun, North Chuya, South Chikhachev ranges, together with previously published ones, specifies climatically driven glacier dynamic Russian Altai. Available data refute traditional concept Altai Holocene glaciations as a consecutive retreat Late Pleistocene glaciation. Considerable prolonged warming Early started no later than 11.3–11.4 cal kBP. It caused significant shrinking or even complete degradation alpine glaciers regeneration forest vegetation 300–400 m above modern timber limit. Stadial advances occurred middle (4.9–4.2 kBP), during Historical (2.3–1.7 Aktru (LIA thirteenth–nineteenth century) stages. New radiocarbon ages fossil soils limited expansion Middle by size moraine. Lesser glacial activity between 5 4 kBP is also supported rapid reforestation heads valleys. Glaciers advance Altai, accompanied accumulation Akkem moraine, could have at end Pleistocene.