QUATERNARY GLACIATIONS IN THE HIGH MOUNTAINS OF NORTHERN PAKISTAN

Glaciological and glaciomorphological studies in the high mountains of Pakistan reflect a long research tradition. A comprehensive review of the current state of research on the Quaternary glaciations in this region is presented: Hindu Kush (Chitral, Swat, Ghizar Region), Karakoram (Hunza, Gilgit Region, Rakaposhi, Haramosh, Baltistan, K2 region) and West-Himalaya (Nanga Parbat, Kaghan Region, Deosai Plateau). Until today the results about the extent and the glacial chronologies differ, and especially the reconstruction of a former glacier in the Indus valley is still in discussion. Nowadays improved dating methods allow to revise older scientific views, and new models try to explain asynchronous chronologies, like a 'shift' of the monsoon during the Quaternary as an important regional climatic factor.