A persistent northern boundary of Indian Summer Monsoon precipitation over Central Asia during the Holocene

• DOI: 10.1038/srep25791
• Publication Date: 2016-05-13T09:17:27Z
• Authors: Arne Ramisch; Gregori Lockot; Torsten Haberzettl; Kai Hartmann; Gerhard Kuhn; Frank Lehmkuhl; Stefan Schimpf; Philipp Schulte; Georg Stauch; Rong Wang; Bernd Wünnemann; Dada Yan; Yongzhan Zhang; Bernhard Diekmann
• Keywords: East Asian Monsoon

Abstract Extra-tropical circulation systems impede poleward moisture advection by the Indian Summer Monsoon. In this context, Himalayan range is believed to insulate south Asian from extra-tropical influences and delineate northern extent of Monsoon in central Asia. Paleoclimatic evidence, however, suggests increased availability Early Holocene north which attributed an intensification Nevertheless, mechanisms leading a surpassing maximum summer monsoonal influence remain unknown. Here we show that Kunlun barrier on Tibetan Plateau [~36°N] delimits precipitation during Holocene. The presence relocates insulation effect 1,000 km further north, allowing continental low intensity branch persistent throughout Precipitation intensities at its seem be driven differentiated solar heating Northern Hemisphere indicating dependency energy-gradients rather than absolute radiation intensities. identified spatial constraints will facilitate prediction future patterns Central Asia under varying climatic conditions.