Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 6 November 2020 doi:10.20944/preprints202011.0243.v1 Investigating Quaternary glacial relics in Binalod Heights and Their Effects on Site Selection and Development of Mashhad City Abolghasem Amirahmadi a1 Professor of Geomorphology, Department of Physical Geography, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Science, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran 1Leila Gholimokhtari a Assistant Professor Geomorphology , Department of Physical Geography, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Science, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran Mahnaz Naemitabar a PhD student Geomorphology, Department of Physical Geography, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Science, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran Mokhtar karamia Assistant Professor Geomorphology , Department of Physical Geography, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Science, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran Abstract Accordingly, the present study is aimed at investigating quaternary climate changes in Binalod Heights. To identify glacial effects, Morphic indices, field evidence and effects, climatic evidence, and (laboratory) experimental analysis were employed. Determining the permanent snow line in the region was conducted using the Right Method and 65 cirques which are considered as much enriched feeding resources for the formation an ice cover in the region. The expansion of settlements in the region are lower than the permanent snow life is more accumulated than above the border of the permanent snow line. This issue indicates that refrigeration cells do not have the ability to create civil nuclear. Regarding quaternary climate changes and the gradual warming of the climate, the initial core of the City of Mashhad ranges from the center of the Kashf rood River to northeastern heights of Binalod. In addition, the existence of glacial cirques in heights as an important factor in feeding refrigerating conditions has been effective on the expansion of urbanization of Mashhad in the past time. Our new geomorphological mapping and landsystem reconstructions provide an important insight into the response of temperate Binalod glaciers to rapidly-warming climate. Keywords: permanent snow line, Quaternary, Cirque, Glaciers, Binalod 1.1 Introduction Geomorphic processes operating under average Quaternary conditions contributed importantly to landscape evolution. Examples of landscapes that may represent such average conditions include cirques and fluvial deposits. Aarseth etal (1974). The glaciers also contribute to the major rivers in Asia, affecting freshwater supply to billions of people, Xu Peng etal (2018). Glaciers are considered as one of the best short term biological indices of quaternary climate change Ghchev (2016, 12). In Iran, most cities are on the a [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 1Department of Physical Geography, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Science, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran 1 © 2020 by the author(s). Distributed under a Creative Commons CC BY license. Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 6 November 2020 doi:10.20944/preprints202011.0243.v1 condensation forms caused by water activity such as alluvial fans, plains and deltas and so far, a lot of studies have been conducted on geomorphological factors threatening as well as their development potentials. But, regarding villages and cities built on glacial geomorphological effects, less attention have been paid by researchers Ramesht (2000,1). There is an undeniable relationship between spatial identity and history of human beings. This issue have caused that a lot of efforts be exerted by researchers for explaining the history of human beings in each place and time and transferring it to the next generation. In this arena, the history of evolution of civil canons of cities is highly important. The natural history of civil canons not only can justify a lot of facts about changes in physical spaces of cities, but also it can complement their history and the social, economic, and political history and evolution Falamaki (1988, 27). Identifying and investigating the quaternary period and environmental changes are important because most vital activities such as natural resources, agriculture, and urbanization are founded on the construction of this period. In addition, it covers more than a half of Iran’s area. The glacial theory was developed in the early 1830 in the mountains of Western Europe. Jean de Charpentier and Jens Esmark, as well as many other natural scientists, are credited with initial discoveries and development of the concept that glaciers had formerly expanded over larger areas Ramesht (2008). Studies conducted on Iranian glaciers in this period are not many. There are a few studies all are related to recent century Rob et al (1981). Investigating morphological effects of quaternary glaciers in Iran is a subject interested by a lot of researchers. The beginning of this interest can be considered by De Morgan in 1890 Kuffman (1990). Furthermore, the latest research was conducted by Vaziri titled as “primary identification of natural glaciers in Iran” along with some images of Iranian glaciers Vaziri (2003). Najaf Abadi et al (2013) declared that the existence of 99 big and small cirques in the region indicates this issue that the cold glacial period of cirques is one of the main feeding resources. The mode of spatial distribution of villages of Sanandaj accurately follows the movement and formation of glacier tongues. Jeffrey and et al (2011), in investigating climate changes on natural glaciers in Cordillera Blanca, Peru concluded that local residents of this region are highly dependent on water flows caused by seasonal melting of glaciers in this region. Sorg et al (2012) in investigating climate changes on natural glaciers and running water in Tin Shan concluded that natural resources and changes in ice runoff in Tin Shan Mountains is a cause for migration of human beings during communities of history in the region and townships in the Middle Asia and millions of people are still highly dependent on natural glaciers. They have done valuable work on the earliest traces of human life in Iran, and the Fourth Era of climate change, Wright (1963), Vita – Finzi (1977), Professor Ariai A., Thibault (1980). Fredin et al (2013) believe that the current landscape of Norway is the result of geological and geomorphological processes over a very long time. However, much of its current landforms are the result of Quaternary glaciers. Glacial shapes such as circuses, U-shaped valleys, mourn, drumlines and scrolls with sizes of millimeters to kilometers can be seen in Norway. Yasilivert et al (2016) estimated 2,300 meters above sea level in the eastern Turkish Quaternary Coat of Arms with two circus elevation methods and elevation ratios, which was about 800 meters lower than the current border snow height. Brooke and Kirkbride (2018) estimated the altitude of the iconic Tarawa area of the Tarawa region of Iceland for the present conditions at 1200 m, while they believe that during the Quaternary period, this elevation was below sea level and even lower. Mindrasco and Evans (2014) studied circuses and their development in Romania. Delmas etal (2015) studied the allometric growth of circuses in the Alps and analyzed them based on statistical methods. Horton (2004) refers to the human reaction and changes in the level of the Persian Gulf basin in the Holocene and the effects of Persian Gulf water fluctuations on settlements between 3,000 and 6,000 BC and its importance in how the first civilizations in the world were created under The effect of the natural position of the Persian Gulf pit has arisen. A look at the history of the evolution of civil societies around the world shows that the emergence and evolution of civil societies follows a specific law, such that, according to Will Durant's analysis of glaciation reigns on Earth, the civilization shrinkage of sovereignty glaciers. The extension of civilization is mentioned. The result of the dominance of the anaglyshal periods in Iran was the formation of cold civilization and the dominance of the kata glychial period of the formation of the hot civilization, but such an event did not occur in an absolute and theatrical manner but coincided with these exceptions in the Iranian exceptionsWill Durant(1982, 3).Takeuchi and et al (2014) in investigating natural glaciers of Tin Shan in the Central Asia, concluded that a lot of natural glaciers in this 2 Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 6 November 2020 doi:10.20944/preprints202011.0243.v1 region are the remainders of the last Ice Age and during thousands of years, they have had roles in supplying vital water resources for local residents. Myglan et al (2014) in investigating glaciers of the southeast Altaic glaciers (in Russia) and their effects on human settlements during past 3000 years concluded that fluctuations of climate glaciers and their changes in the model of evolution and migration has had a great role. Therefore, the present study is aimed at investigating the role of quaternary climate changes particularly changes in permanent snow line and geomorphological changes in the evolution of civilization and the expansion of urbanization in Mashhad City as the case of the study. 1.2 study area Binalod Mountains ranges from latitude 36 degrees 16 minutes north and 59 degrees and 5 minutes east as approximately 130 km in north of Neishabor to the southwest of Ghochan City, and reaches the northwest of Aladagh Mountains (Continuation of Alborz Mountain). Binalod Mountains is considered as the natural border between Neishaboor and Mashhad. Three permanent rivers of the Kashf-Rood, Atrak, and Kalshour Rivers originate from this mountain. The springs originating from Binalod mostly fall into the Kalshoor River, and the northern ones of this mountain fall into the Kashf-Rood River. In addition to these rivers, there are rivers with relatively less water such as Mir Abad, Zoshk and Torghabeh, Akhelmand, Farizi, Buzhan, Kharv Olia, Bar and Diz Bad Olia in the valleys of this region.