Late Holocene (~3 ka) paleoclimatic records from Baspa Valley, NW Himalaya: A multi-proxy approach

We investigated a 83-cm-thick fluvio-glacial sedimentary profile from Baspa Valley, Central Himalaya, where monsoonal precipitation and glacial deposits are well preserved. We use a multi-proxy strategy to reconstruct Late-Holocene climatic variability in this region, including carbon isotope, environmental magnetism, total organic carbon, and AMS Carbon-14 dating. These multi-proxy data showed alternate warm and cool climatic phases that govern glacial snow melting and advancement, respectively. The current study revealed that the climate was warm and moist (deglaciation phases) from 2.9 to 1.5 ka and 1 to 0.5 ka. The warm and moist conditions in this area are characterised by depleted carbon isotope values, high organic production, and high magnetic mineral concentrations. The Indian monsoon conditions were very intense during this time period. Cold and dry climatic conditions (glacial phase) were recorded between 1.5 and 1 ka, as shown by carbon isotope enrichment, lower organic production, and low magnetic mineral concentrations. During this period, weak monsoonal conditions were observed in the Baspa region, Northwest Himalayan region. Keywords: Palaeoclimate, Environmental Magnetism, Carbon Isotope, AMS 14C Dating, Baspa Valley, NW Himalaya