A Comparative Study of Monsoonal and Non-Monsoonal Himalayan Lakes, India

Abstract

Sedimentological, mineral magnetic and carbon isotopic studies on cores from Mansar Lake in the Jammu area provide paleomonsoonal history dating back to 580 BC. From ca. 580 BC to AD 300, the region experienced precipitation similar to the present, whereas from AD 300 to 1400, the monsoon was relatively subdued. A small excursion ca. AD 1100 suggests an effect of medieval warming. Studies in the Kumaon region did not provide a proper precipitation record, as anthropogenic activity interfered with sedimentation. Manasbal Lake in Kashmir gave an inversion of 14C chronology due to younger paleosols in the drainage basin. Further, the episodic nature of sedimentation in Manasbal Lake hampered the reconstruction of precipitation history in the area.