Palaeoclimatic response to Quaternary gravels: A case study from Kumaun Himalaya, India

Study of Quaternary intramontane Bhimtal palaeolake deposits and the Gaula piedmont fan deposits representing sediment source to sink scenario respectively; have revealed that gravelly sequences have directly responded to climatic turnovers creating contrasting lithofacies associations. Humid climatic conditions favoured thickly developed river generated clast-supported gravelly deposits, composed of clasts derived from a distant source. These deposits show intense lateral and vertical changes in lithofacies constitution. In contrast, arid phases are represented by extensive debris flows composed of clasts derived from adjacent mountain slopes. Gravelly deposits systematically interbedded in the stratigraphic records have potential for palaeoclimatic studies that is sometimes ignored.