scholarly journals First Investigation of Perennial Ice in Winter Wonderland Cave, Uinta Mountains, Utah, USA

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey S. Munroe
Keyword(s):  
Main Part ◽  
Summer Precipitation ◽  
Winter Precipitation ◽  
Ice Age ◽  
Uinta Mountains ◽  
High Exposure ◽  
Water Line ◽  
Cave Environment ◽  
Δ18o And Δd ◽  
Perennial Ice

Abstract. Winter Wonderland Cave is a solution cave at an elevation of 3140 m above sea level in Carboniferous-age Madison Limestone on the southern slope of the Uinta Mountains (Utah, USA). Temperature dataloggers reveal that the mean annual air temperature (MAAT) in the main part of the cave is −0.8 °C, whereas the entrance chamber has a MAAT of −2.3 °C. The MAAT outside the cave entrance was +2.8 °C between August 2016 and August 2018. Temperature in excess of 0 °C were not recorded inside the cave during that 2-year interval. About half of the accessible cave, which has a mapped length of 245 m, is floored by perennial ice. Field and laboratory investigations were conducted to determine the age and origin of this ice and its possible paleoclimate significance. Ground penetrating radar surveys with a 400-MHz antenna reveal that the ice has a maximum thickness of ~ 3 m. Samples of packrat (Neotoma) droppings obtained from the ice in the main part of the cave yielded radiocarbon ages from 40 ± 30 to 285 ± 12 years. These results correspond with median calibrated ages from AD 1645 to 1865, suggesting that most of the ice accumulated during the Little Ice Age. Samples collected from a ~ 2-m high exposure of layered ice were analysed for stable isotopes and glaciochemistry. Most values of δ18O and δD range plot subparallel to the global meteoric water line with a slope of 7.5 with an intercept of 0.03 ‰. Values from some individual layers depart from this local water line suggesting that they formed during close-system freezing. In general, values of both δ18O and δD are lowest in the deepest ice, and highest at the top. This trend is interpreted as a shift in the relative abundance of depleted winter precipitation and enriched summer precipitation over time. Calcium has the highest average abundance of cations detectable in the ice (mean of 6050 ppb), followed by Al (2270 ppb), Mg (830 ppb), and K (690 ppb). Most elements are more abundant in the younger ice, possibly reflecting reduced rates of infiltration that prolonged water-rock contact in the epikarst. Abundances of Al and Ni likely reflect eolian dust incorporated in the ice. Liquid water appeared in the cave in August 2018 and August 2019, apparently for the first time in many years. This could be a sign of a significant change in the cave environment.

scholarly journals First investigation of perennial ice in Winter Wonderland Cave, Uinta Mountains, Utah, USA

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 863-881
Author(s):  
Jeffrey S. Munroe
Keyword(s):  
Summer Precipitation ◽  
Recent Change ◽  
Ice Age ◽  
Uinta Mountains ◽  
High Exposure ◽  
Cave Environment ◽  
Ice Field ◽  
Madison Limestone ◽  
Δ18o And Δd ◽  
Perennial Ice

Abstract. Winter Wonderland Cave is a solution cave at an elevation of 3140 m above sea level in Carboniferous-age Madison Limestone on the southern slope of the Uinta Mountains (Utah, USA). Temperature data loggers reveal that the mean annual air temperature (MAAT) in the main part of the cave is −0.8 ∘C, whereas the entrance chamber has a MAAT of −2.3 ∘C. In contrast, the MAAT outside the cave entrance was +2.8 ∘C between August 2016 and August 2018. Temperatures in excess of 0 ∘C were not recorded inside the cave during that 2-year interval. About half of the accessible cave, which has a mapped length of 245 m, is floored by perennial ice. Field and laboratory investigations were conducted to determine the age and origin of this ice and its possible paleoclimate significance. Ground-penetrating-radar (GPR) surveys with a 400 MHz antenna reveal that the ice has a maximum thickness of ∼ 3 m. Samples of rodent droppings obtained from an intermediate depth within the ice yielded radiocarbon ages from 40±30 to 285±12 years. These results correspond with median calibrated ages from CE 1560 to 1830, suggesting that at least some of the ice accumulated during the Little Ice Age. Samples collected from a ∼ 2 m high exposure of layered ice were analyzed for stable isotopes and glaciochemistry. Most values of δ18O and δD plot subparallel to the global meteoric waterline with a slope of 7.5 and an intercept of 0.03 ‰. Values from some individual layers depart from the local waterline, suggesting that they formed during closed-system freezing. In general, values of both δ18O and δD are lowest in the deepest ice and highest at the top. This trend is interpreted as a shift in the relative abundance of winter and summer precipitation over time. Calcium has the highest average abundance of cations detectable in the ice (mean of 6050 ppb), followed by Al (2270 ppb), Mg (830 ppb), and K (690 ppb). Most elements are more abundant in the younger ice, possibly reflecting reduced rates of infiltration that prolonged water–rock contact in the epikarst. Abundances of Al and Ni likely reflect eolian dust incorporated in the ice. Liquid water appeared in the cave in August 2018 and August 2019, apparently for the first time in many years. This could be a sign of a recent change in the cave environment.

scholarly journals Holocene Hydroclimate in the Southeastern United States During Abrupt Climate Events: Evidence From New Speleothem Isotopic Records From Alabama

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Medina-Elizalde ◽  
Stefan Perritano ◽  
Matthew DeCesare ◽  
Josué Polanco-Martinez ◽  
Gabriela Serrato-Marks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Model Simulation ◽  
Southeastern United States ◽  
Precipitation Amount ◽  
Summer Precipitation ◽  
Winter Precipitation ◽  
Meridional Overturning Circulation ◽  
Ice Age ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Spring Precipitation

Abstract We present new high-resolution absolute-dated stalagmite δ18O and δ13C records from the southeastern United States (SE US) spanning the last 12 thousand years (ka). A local relationship between annual rainfall amount and its amount-weighed δ18O composition exists on interannual timescales, driven mostly by an amount effect during summer and spring seasons, and by an isotopically depleted composition of fall and winter precipitation. Based on a novel interpretation of modern rainfall isotopic data, stalagmite δ18O variability is interpreted to reflect the relative contribution of summer and spring precipitation combined relative to combined fall and winter precipitation. Precipitation amount in the SE US increases during the Younger Dryas, the 8.2 ka and Little Ice Age abrupt cooling events. High precipitation during these events reflects enhancement of spring and summer precipitation while the contribution of fall and winter rainfall remained unchanged or decreased slightly. Results from this study support model simulation results that suggest increased precipitation in the SE US during Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) slowdown/shutdown (LeGrande et al., 2006; Renssen et al., 2002; Vellinga and Wood, 2002). In association with Northern Hemisphere mid-latitude cooling from the Early to mid-Holocene, annual precipitation in the SE US decreases, a pattern distinctive from that observed during abrupt cooling events related to AMOC shifts. Long-term hydroclimate change in the SE US is likely sensitive to summer insolation reduction as inferred for other tropical and subtropical regions. This study has implications for our understanding of the sensitivity of subtropical hydroclimate to factors both internal and external to the climate system in a warmer climate.

scholarly journals Holocene Hydroclimate in the Southeastern United States During Abrupt Climate Events: Evidence From New Speleothem Isotopic Records From Alabama

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Medina-Elizalde ◽  
Stefan Perritano ◽  
Matthew DeCesare ◽  
Josué Polanco-Martinez ◽  
Gabriela Serrato-Marks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Model Simulation ◽  
Southeastern United States ◽  
Precipitation Amount ◽  
Summer Precipitation ◽  
Winter Precipitation ◽  
Meridional Overturning Circulation ◽  
Ice Age ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Spring Precipitation

Abstract We present new high-resolution absolute-dated stalagmite δ18O and δ13C records from the southeastern United States (SE US) spanning the last 12 thousand years (ka). A local relationship between annual rainfall amount and its amount-weighed δ18O composition exists on interannual timescales, driven mostly by an amount effect during summer and spring seasons, and by an isotopically depleted composition of fall and winter precipitation. Based on a novel interpretation of modern rainfall isotopic data, stalagmite δ18O variability is interpreted to reflect the relative contribution of summer and spring precipitation combined relative to combined fall and winter precipitation. Precipitation amount in the SE US increases during the Younger Dryas, the 8.2 ka and Little Ice Age abrupt cooling events. High precipitation during these events reflects enhancement of spring and summer precipitation while the contribution of fall and winter rainfall remained unchanged or decreased slightly. Results from this study support model simulation results that suggest increased precipitation in the SE US during Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) slowdown/shutdown (LeGrande et al., 2006; Renssen et al., 2002; Vellinga and Wood, 2002). In association with Northern Hemisphere mid-latitude cooling from the Early to mid-Holocene, annual precipitation in the SE US decreases, a pattern distinctive from that observed during abrupt cooling events related to AMOC shifts. Long-term hydroclimate change in the SE US is likely sensitive to summer insolation reduction as inferred for other tropical and subtropical regions. This study has implications for our understanding of the sensitivity of subtropical hydroclimate to factors both internal and external to the climate system in a warmer climate.

scholarly journals Post-LIA glacier changes along a latitudinal transect in the Central Italian Alps

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 2235-2252 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Scotti ◽  
F. Brardinoni ◽  
G. B. Crosta
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Temperature ◽  
Winter Precipitation ◽  
Ice Age ◽  
Glacier Change ◽  
Mass Balances ◽  
Italian Alps ◽  
Temperature Trends ◽  
Continental Divide ◽  
Latitudinal Transect ◽  
Order Of Magnitude

Abstract. The variability of glacier response to atmospheric temperature rise in different topo-climatic settings is still a matter of debate. To address this question in the Central Italian Alps, we compile a post-LIA (Little Ice Age) multitemporal glacier inventory (1860–1954–1990–2003–2007) along a latitudinal transect that originates north of the continental divide in the Livigno Mountains and extends south through the Disgrazia and Orobie ranges, encompassing continental-to-maritime climatic settings. In these sub-regions, we examine the area change of 111 glaciers. Overall, the total glacierized area has declined from 34.1 to 10.1 km2, with a substantial increase in the number of small glaciers due to fragmentation. The average annual decrease (AAD) in glacier area has risen by about 1 order of magnitude from 1860–1990 (Livigno: 0.45; Orobie: 0.42; and Disgrazia: 0.39 % a−1) to 1990–2007 (Livigno: 3.08; Orobie: 2.44; and Disgrazia: 2.27 % a−1). This ranking changes when considering glaciers smaller than 0.5 km2 only (i.e., we remove the confounding caused by large glaciers in Disgrazia), so that post-1990 AAD follows the latitudinal gradient and Orobie glaciers stand out (Livigno: 4.07; Disgrazia: 3.57; and Orobie: 2.47 % a−1). More recent (2007–2013) field-based mass balances in three selected small glaciers confirm post-1990 trends showing the consistently highest retreat in continental Livigno and minimal area loss in maritime Orobie, with Disgrazia displaying transitional behavior. We argue that the recent resilience of glaciers in Orobie is a consequence of their decoupling from synoptic atmospheric temperature trends, a decoupling that arises from the combination of local topographic configuration (i.e., deep, north-facing cirques) and high winter precipitation, which ensures high snow-avalanche supply, as well as high summer shading and sheltering. Our hypothesis is further supported by the lack of correlations between glacier change and glacier attributes in Orobie, as well as by the higher variability in ELA,sub>0 positioning, post-LIA glacier change, and interannual mass balances, as we move southward along the transect.

scholarly journals Ice genesis and its long-term dynamics in Scărişoara Ice Cave, Romania

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 1909-1929
Author(s):  
A. Perşoiu ◽  
A. Pazdur
Keyword(s):  
Radiocarbon Dating ◽  
Ice Age ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Lake Ice ◽  
Ice Flow ◽  
Paleoclimatic Significance ◽  
Basal Melting ◽  
Perennial Ice ◽  
Level Monitoring

Abstract. The paleoclimatic significance of the perennial ice deposit in Scărişoara Ice Cave has been remarked since the early 20th century, but a clear understanding of the processes involved in the genesis, age and long-term dynamics of ice hampered all attempts to extract valuable data on past climate and vegetation changes. In this paper, we present a model of ice genesis and dynamics, based on stable isotopes, ice level monitoring (modern and archived) and radiocarbon dating of organic matter found in the ice. Ice in Scărişoara Ice Cave mostly consists of layers of lake ice, produced as liquid water freezes from top to bottom in mid-autumn, a mechanism that was also acting in the past, during the Medieval Warm Period and the Little Ice Age. The ice block is not stable in shape and volume, being continuously modified by ablation on top, basal melting and lateral flow. Radiocarbon dating shows that the ice block is older than 1200 years, the rate of ice flow and basal melting suggesting that the ice could be much older.

scholarly journals Spatial Analysis of Seasonal Precipitation Using Various Interpolation Methods in the Euphrates Basin, Turkey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Okan Mert Katipoğlu
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Polynomial Interpolation ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Summer Precipitation ◽  
Winter Precipitation ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Seasonal Precipitation ◽  
Interpolation Methods

Abstract It is vital to accurately map the spatial distribution of precipitation, which is widely used in many fields such as hydrology, climatology, meteorology, ecology, and agriculture. In this study, it was aimed to reveal the spatial distribution of seasonal long-term average precipitation in the Euphrates Basin by using various interpolation methods. For this reason, Simple Kriging (SK), Ordinary Kriging (OK), Universal Kriging (UK), Ordinary CoKriging (OCK), Empirical Bayesian Kriging (EBK), Radial Basis Functions (Completely Regularized Spline (CRS), Thin Plate Spline (TPS), Multiquadratic, Inverse Multiquadratic (IM), Spline with Tensor (ST)), Local Polynomial Interpolation (LPI), Global Polynomial Interpolation (GPI), Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) methods have been applied in the Geographical Information Systems (GIS) environment. Long-term seasonal precipitation averages between 1966 and 2017 are presented as input for the prediction of precipitation maps. The accuracy of the precipitation prediction maps created was based on root mean square error (RMSE) values obtained from the cross-validation tests. The method of precipitation by interpolation yielding the lowest RMSE was selected as the most appropriate method. As a result of the study, OCK in spring and winter precipitation, LPI in summer precipitation, and OK in autumn precipitation were determined as the most appropriate estimation method.

scholarly journals Climate reconstruction since the Little Ice Age by modelling Koryto glacier, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

2008 ◽  
Vol 54 (184) ◽  
pp. 125-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoru Yamaguchi ◽  
Renji Naruse ◽  
Takayuki Shiraiwa
Keyword(s):  
20Th Century ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Ice Core ◽  
Kamchatka Peninsula ◽  
Winter Precipitation ◽  
Ice Age ◽  
Equilibrium Line Altitude ◽  
Ice Cap ◽  
Glacier Terminus ◽  
Tree Ring Data

AbstractBased on the field data at Koryto glacier, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia, we constructed a one-dimensional numerical glacier model which fits the behaviour of the glacier. The analysis of meteorological data from the nearby station suggests that the recent rapid retreat of the glacier since the mid-20th century is likely to be due to a decrease in winter precipitation. Using the geographical data of the glacier terminus variations from 1711 to 1930, we reconstructed the fluctuation in the equilibrium-line altitude by means of the glacier model. With summer temperatures inferred from tree-ring data, the model suggests that the winter precipitation from the mid-19th to the early 20th century was about 10% less than that at present. This trend is close to consistent with ice-core results from the nearby ice cap in the central Kamchatka Peninsula.

scholarly journals Precipitation Variations under a Changing Climate from 1961–2015 in the Source Region of the Indus River

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1366
Author(s):  
Muhammad Rizwan ◽  
Xin Li ◽  
Kashif Jamal ◽  
Yingying Chen ◽  
Junaid Nawaz Chauhdary ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Daily Precipitation ◽  
Source Region ◽  
Summer Precipitation ◽  
Heavy Precipitation ◽  
Winter Precipitation ◽  
Indus Basin ◽  
Indus River ◽  
Precipitation Characteristics ◽  
Daily Precipitation Data ◽  
Increasing Trends

The source region of the Indus River (SRIR), which is located in the Hindukush, Karakoram and Himalayan (HKH) mountainous range and on the Third Pole (TP), is very sensitive to climate change, especially precipitation changes, because of its multifarious orography and fragile ecosystem. Climate changes in the SRIR also have important impacts on social and economic development, as well as on the ecosystems of the downstream irrigation areas in Pakistan. This paper investigates the changes in precipitation characteristics by dividing the daily precipitation rate into different classes, such as light (0–10 mm), moderate (10.1–25 mm) and heavy precipitation (>25 mm). Daily precipitation data from gauging and non-gauging stations from 1961–2015 are used. The results of the analysis of the annual precipitation and rainy day trends show significant (p < 0.05) increases and decreases, respectively, while light and heavy precipitation show significant decreasing and increasing trends, respectively. The analysis of the precipitation characteristics shows that light precipitation has the highest number of rainy days compared to moderate or heavy precipitation. The analysis of the seasonal precipitation trends shows that only 18 stations have significant increasing trends in winter precipitation, while 27 stations have significant increasing trends in summer precipitation. Both short and long droughts exhibit increasing trends, which indicates that the Indus Basin will suffer from water shortages for agriculture. The results of this study could help policymakers cope with floods and droughts and sustain eco-environmental resources in the study area.

Late-Holocene seasonal moisture variability: Range Creek Canyon, Utah, USA

The Holocene ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 095968362097276
Author(s):  
Mariangelica Groves ◽  
Andrea R Brunelle ◽  
Mitchell J Power ◽  
Kenneth L Petersen ◽  
Zachary J Lundeen
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Colorado Plateau ◽  
Summer Precipitation ◽  
Isotopic Analysis ◽  
Pinus Edulis ◽  
Ice Age ◽  
Dry Period ◽  
Climatic Zones ◽  
Elemental Ratios ◽  
Moisture Conditions

A 3300 year-long reconstruction of paleoenvironmental moisture conditions was constructed from a sediment core from North Gate Bog (NGB) in the northern section of Range Creek Canyon within the Colorado Plateau. The methods used to analyze the record include loss on ignition (LOI), magnetic susceptibility (MS), elemental analysis with X-ray fluorescence (XRF), charcoal influx, isotopic analysis, elemental ratios and pollen percentages, influx, and ratios. This study adds two new insights to the paleoenvironmental record of the northern section of the Colorado Plateau. First, four climatic zones were established. Zone 1 (3300–2750 cal yr BP) had 100-year wet to dry variations with droughts recorded from 3300–3200, 3000–2900, and 2800–2700 cal yr BP. Zone 2 (2750–1600 cal yr BP) had an overall dry period with an 800-year transition to increased warmth and winter moisture. Zone 3 (1600–850 cal yr BP) had an overall warm, wet, summer precipitation climate conducive to the establishment of Zea Mays and Pinus edulis, two staple foods of the Fremont culture. The Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA) registered warm and wet in this part of the Colorado Plateau. Zone 4 (850–0 cal yr BP) had a sharp transition to a drier climate from 850 to 400 cal yr BP. During the Little Ice Age (LIA), wetter climate taxon increases such as Artemisia, Cyperaceae, and Pinus edulis. The second overall finding in this study was that NGB was a place of human activity including Fremont farming. The identification of a Zea mays pollen grain confirms the archeological presumptions that this higher elevation site was used to farm corn along with other sites in Range Creek Canyon (RCC). The post Fremont occupation period was marked by a sharp increase in organic material and a return of pinyon-juniper woodlands.

Quantitative estimates of temperature and precipitation changes over the last millennium from pollen and lake-level data at Lake Joux, Swiss Jura Mountains

2011 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Magny ◽  
Odile Peyron ◽  
Emilie Gauthier ◽  
Boris Vannière ◽  
Laurent Millet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lake Level ◽  
Summer Precipitation ◽  
Meridional Overturning Circulation ◽  
Ice Age ◽  
Last Millennium ◽  
Temperature Minimum ◽  
Jura Mountains ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Modern Analogue ◽  
Swiss Jura

AbstractThis paper presents quantitative climate estimates for the last millennium, using a multi-proxy approach with pollen and lake-level data from Lake Joux (Swiss Jura Mountains). The climate reconstruction, based on the Modern Analogue Technique, indicates warmer and drier conditions during the Medieval Warm Period (MWP). MWP was preceded by a short-lived cold humid event around AD 1060, and followed by a rapid return around AD 1400 to cooler and wetter conditions which generally characterize the Little Ice Age (LIA). Around AD 1450 (solar Spörer minimum), the LIA attained a temperature minimum and a summer precipitation maximum. The solar Maunder minimum around AD 1690 corresponded at Joux to rather mild temperatures but maximal annual precipitation. These results generally agree with other records from neighbouring Alpine regions. However, there are differences in the timing of the LIA temperature minimum depending on the proxy and/or the method used for the reconstruction. As a working hypothesis, the hydrological signal associated with the MWP and LIA oscillations at Lake Joux may have been mainly driven by a shift around AD 1400 from positive to negative NAO modes in response to variations in solar irradiance possibly coupled with changes in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation.

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