The Uplift of High Asia Above the Snowline and Its Glaciation as Albedo-dependent Cause of the Quaternary Ice Ages

Since 1973 the author undertook 42 expeditions in Tibet, the Himalayas, Karakorum, Kuen Lun, Tien Shan, Sayan Mountains, the Altai and other parts of High and Central Asia which contributed to a detailed knowledge about extension and thickness of the High Asian inland-ice. Geomorphological and Quaternary-geological (sedimentological) results as well as climate measurement of a cumulative 6 years of field research in High Asia are presented. The data gained is for the Last Glacial period (Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 32). Geometric boundary conditions resulting from low latitude caused a substantial albedo-induced impact on the energy budget of the earth during glacial times. The vast extension of the ice-sheets and the high elevation (6000m asl) contributed to this. A substantial albedo-induced cooling of the atmosphere is inferred. From these findings the author has deduced his ice age development theory. This book summarizes and details the results of 39 years of ice age research.