An updated moraine map of Far NE Russia

Barr and Clark published a series of maps depicting the distribution of end moraines across Far NE Russia. These<br/>moraines outlined the former distribution and dimensions of glaciers, and were identified through the analysis of<br/>Landsat ETM+ satellite images (15- and 30-m resolution). Now, a number of freely available digital elevation<br/>model (DEM) datasets are available, which cover the entire 4 million km2 of Far NE Russia. These include<br/>the 30-m resolution ASTER GDEM and the 90-m resolution Viewfinder Panorama DEM. Here we use these<br/>datasets, in conjunction with Landsat ETM+ images, to complete the process of systematically and<br/>comprehensively mapping end moraines. With the aid of the DEMs described above, here we present a total<br/>dataset of 8414 moraines, which almost quadruples the inventory of Barr and Clark. This increase in the<br/>number of moraines is considered to reflect the utility of the DEMs for mapping glacial landforms. In terms of<br/>moraine distribution, the Barr and Clark map and the one presented here are comparable, with moraines found<br/>to cluster in highland regions and upon adjacent lowlands, attesting to the former occupation of the region by<br/>mountain-centred ice masses. This record is considered to reflect palaeoclimatic and topographic controls upon<br/>the extent and dynamics of palaeoglaciers, as well as spatial variability in moraine preservation.