Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Climate On The Blanca Massif, Sangre De Cristo Mountains, Colorado, Usa, During The Last Glacial Maximum, Keith A. Brugger, Eric M. Leonard, Kurt A. Refsnider, Peter Dolan

Geology Publications

Temperature-index modeling is used to determine the magnitude of temperature depression on the Blanca Massif, Colorado, required to maintain steady-state mass balances of nine reconstructed glaciers at their extent during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The mean temperature depression thus determined is ~8.6 +0.7/−0.9 degrees C where the uncertainties account for those inherent in the glacier reconstructions, in model parameters (e.g., melt factors), and possible modest changes in LGM precipitation. Associated equilibrium-line altitudes (ELAs) exhibit a statistically significant directional dependency being lower toward the north and east. Under the assumption that regional temperature change was uniform, required changes in precipitation …

Late Pleistocene Glaciation In The Mosquito Range, Colorado, U.S.A.: Chronology And Climate, Keith A. Brugger, Benjamin J.C. Laabs, Alexander Reimers, Noah Bensen

Geology Publications

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 …

Late Pleistocene Climate Inferred From The Reconstruction Of The Taylor River Glacier Complex, Southern Sawatch Range, Colorado, Keith A. Brugger

Geology Publications

Ice surface topography of a late Pleistocene glacier complex, herein named the Taylor River Glacier Complex (TRGC), was reconstructed on the basis of detailed mapping of glacial landforms combined with analyses of aerial photos and topographic maps. During the last glacial maximum (LGM), the TRGC covered an area of 215 km² and consisted of five valley or outlet glaciers that were nourished by accumulation in cirques basins and/or upland ice fields.

Equilibrium-line altitudes (ELAs) for the glaciers of the TRGC were estimated using the accumulation-area ratio method, assuming that ratio to be 0.65 ± 0.05. ELAs thus derived ranged …