Geomorphological Mapping of the Putorana Plateau: Tracing Glacial Histories from the Last Interglacial to the LGM

This study advances our understanding of the glacial history of the Putorana Plateau, Central Siberia, by expanding beyond cirque analyses to encompass a broader suite of geomorphological features. Using high-resolution Arctic DEM (2 m) data, this research systematically maps and assesses key glacial landforms, including moraines, cirques, ice-scoured basins, streamlined bedforms, and other large-scale features indicative of past ice dynamics. The focus spans multiple glacial periods, from the Last Interglacial through the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), with particular emphasis on the major advances during MIS5b and MIS4.

The mapping builds on the recently completed cirque inventory of the Western Putorana by, incorporating larger features to comprehensively reconstruct the glacial history of the region. Detailed geomorphological analysis aims to delineate ice flow patterns, quantify ice extent, and identify variations in glacial behaviour across different stadials and interstadials. By integrating these findings with existing palaeoclimate data and previous studies on wider Siberian glaciations, this research provides critical insights into the extent and timing of glaciations in the region.

Initial results highlight the Putorana Plateau as a dynamic ice-marginal environment, shaped by successive glacial advances and retreats. The largest glacial extent occurred during the Late Saalian (MIS 6) and was followed by substantial glaciations during MIS 5b (90–80 ka) and MIS 4 (60–50 ka) connected to the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet, to form the wider Eurasian Ice Sheet. These advances, pre-date the more globally recognised LGM at 30–22 ka, revealing a complex history of ice-sheet behaviour influenced by regional climatic and topographic factors.

This study fills a critical gap in the palaeoglacial research of Siberia, where previous investigations have primarily concentrated on the Ural or Kamchatka Mountains and other Weichselian glaciation configurations. By providing the first large-scale geomorphological assessment of the Putorana Plateau, this work not only refines our understanding of Siberian glacial history but also establishes a framework for future studies on palaeoclimate and ice-sheet dynamics in other remote and understudied regions.