Spatial patterns in Central Asian climate and equilibrium line altitudes

Abstract

A suite of general circulation model {(GCM)} simulations and a glacier equilibrium line altitude {(ELA)} model are compared to reconstructed glacier advances from geomorphic data and used to test the sensitivity of Central Asian glaciers to simulated climate changes at the Last Glacial Maximum {(LGM).} Results highlight temperature changes as being the most important influence on glacier {ELA} changes during the {LGM.} With the exception of the southern Himalaya, for much of Central Asia there is consistency between {GCMs} for simulated {LGM} temperature changes, with a mean cooling of 4{\textdegree} C. Further research will necessarily need to focus on detailed analysis of the inter-model differences in temperature in the southern Himalaya, and acquiring additional paleoclimate proxies in the region in order to further constrain the {GCMs.}