Hydrodynamic processes and depositional styles of glacier-associated deposits in the Moxi basin, Southwest China

This study aims to understand the particle size distribution and depositional styles of glacier-associated deposits in the Moxi basin in southwest China. Based on field surveys, 28 samples from glacier-associated deposits (including glacial till, fluvioglacial, debris flow, river and lake deposits) were collected and tested in the laboratory. The results showed that the glacier-associated deposits can be differentiated based on particle gradation, particle size distribution and accumulated percentages. We evaluated the evolution of a former dammed lake in the Moxi basin based on glacier-associated deposits. The results of this study also indicated that the Moxi Platform was not formed by a single depositional process but is composed of both fluvioglacial and debris flow deposits. This research shows that the depositional style analysis is useful in identifying different glacier-associated deposits in high mountain regions. Moreover, the evaluation of the differences in particle sizes of the glacier-associated deposits is useful in reconstructing geo-hazard events in periglacial regions, and this information can help in identifying and reducing the potential risks associated with geo-hazards.