Five primary methods have been used to reconstruct Pleistocene snowlines or
equilibrium-line altitudes (ELAs) in the tropics (23.5 degreesN-23.5 degre
esS) during the last glaciation, but each has inherent errors that limit th
e accuracy of the results. Additional potential errors in determining ELA d
epression involve estimates of modern snowline altitude, dating resolution,
topographic reconstruction of former glaciers, orographic effects, the pre
sence of rockfall debris on glaciers, and calculation of regional ELA gradi
ents. Eustatic sea-level lowering during the last glaciation is an addition
al factor influencing estimates of ELA depression (Delta ELA). In cases whe
re modern snowline lies above a mountain summit, only a minimum value for D
elta ELA can be obtained. At 12 tropical sites in Africa, the Americas (to
10 degreesS latitude), and Pacific islands, estimates of average Delta ELA
range from 440 to 1400 m, but most fall in the range of 800-1000 m (mean +/
- 1 sigma = 900 +/- 135 m). In a regional study of ELA depression in the so
uthern tropical Andes (8-22 degreesS), an average Delta ELA of ca. 920 +/-
250m has been reported. Based on the assumption that glacier mass balance w
as controlled solely by ablation-season temperature, and assuming a full-gl
acial temperature lapse rate of - 6 degreesC/km, depression of mean annual
temperature in glaciated alpine areas was ca. 5.4 +/- 0.8 degreesC. If adju
sted for a sea-level fall of - 120m at the glacial maximum, this value is r
educed to 4.7 +/- 0.8 degreesC. The figure is based on the (unlikely) assum
ption that accumulation on alpine glaciers has been invariant; nevertheless
, it is similar to values of temperature depresson (5-6.4 degreesC) for the
last glaciation obtained from various terrestrial sites, but contrasts wit
h tropical sea-surface temperature estimates that are only 1-3 degreesC coo
ler than present. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.