Lesotho Highlands geomorphology

"...all landscapes change, whether rhythmically with the seasons or progressively with the march of geological time..."

"Geomorphology may well be termed the anatomy of landscape, and to those trained in its principles a view that was once a meaningless jumble of hills and valleys resolves itself into a logical whole, with a history which may be tracked back into the past and forward into the future."

Signs on the Roof of Africa corroborate variable obliquity as governing source of climate.

by Hendrik G. Dirker

In like manner to Antarctica, mountainous Lesotho was moulded by glacial flux. Non-withstanding its considerable distance from the PolarCircle, evidence of massive sheet ice formation is prevalent in the Maluti Range (a fabulous destination to experience on horseback). Laterally permeating the 30.000 sq.km Kingdom and comparable with contour stratigraphy, repeated glacial layering -- of varied depth -- etched elevation surface. Regulated by variability in the angle of Earth's rotational axis and inter-spaced by multitude intervals, such as left by a lake dropping in level, this is the signature of an enigmatic cycle.

Such as which occurred concurrent with LastGlacialMax -- in tandem with Earth's polar axis attaining max. obliquity -- the location of Solstice i.o.w. the Tropic*Circle shifts to proximity of the Polar*Circle and vice-versa respective of season -- the latitude separation is thus breached -- effectively united. Perceivable in the diminishing arc whereby the Sun crosses the sky from East to West, the rising and setting points retract, whereby the Sun no longer clears the horizon -- an epoch when Winters are comprised entirely of night -- precluding melt activity for up to 6 months and facilitating of great buildup - filling valleys and even surpassing mountain peaks. Compacted under sheer pressure -- wedged in -- facades concave, spines are squeezed and edges raised. Mounds and slopes are forged smooth, some terraced.

Incurring migration, progressing to & fro Solstice, the Sun subsequently crosses the equator to reciprocate for its absence during the former season by not descending below the horizon, for the entire Summer - 24hrs per day for 26 weeks without nights to cool. Consequently, preceding growth is rapidly thawed under relentless Sunlight -- alternately between the N & S hemispheres -- the intensity thereof accordingly tapers from the peak of GlacialMaximum.

Geomorphology integral to the Jordane Valley, at the foothills of Mt.Thaba Putsoa, is consistent with turmoil of catastrophic meltdown, occurring en-mass underneath decaying ice. Water, in exceedingly great volume, is boosted by high precipitation and steep runoff. Fed by drainage of surface lakes via fissures, flash erosion thereby cut the twisting Jordane River across a vast plain. The bedrock is compacted by annual flux of ice. On location here and elsewhere, the melt action is still observable on micro scale - at the end of Winter when Sunlight reach slopes that face away from the equator. The ice thaws from under, forming rivulets that erode the surface on which it rests (the Grand Canyon was similarly eroded by meltwater draining from the Rockies and emptying into the Californian Gulf).

The past quarter, commencing 4500 BC with the star Vega occupying the celestial pole, encountered relative moderate obliquity variance - ranging by ten degrees from 24° to 14° & back to 24° over a time-span of some 6500 years, during which comparatively stable ice caps were simultaneously maintained, at both Poles* [IMAGE] Continuing from the present era however, Earth is progressively tipping over... glacial retreat and rising sea level will steadily escalate to cataclysmic flooding. Following which, the quarter that constitutes GM commences -- the peak thereof encountering 58° obliquity -- unrelenting for six & 1/2 millennia, thawing is unleashed every Summer, when the meltwater is harnessed into devastating hydro power that engages detritus to chaotically carve away mountains and whereby the landscape is changed.

The operating dynamics of climate

Perplexing, the Indian peninsula - a classic case of befuddling - was never detached from the Euro-Asian Continent... geophysical reasoning rooted in the 18th Century, pertaining the fallacy of 'a SuperContinent break-up', obscures an almighty enigma: a beyond-belief asteroid, being ripped apart by Earth's gravity on approach, fragmenting over the Pacific Ocean and its core tearing into Asia with terrific velocity. Thrown up in an astounding impact, temporarily 'liquefied' matter formed an extraordinary scar - the creation moment of the Himalaya and demise of the Dinosaur...

In a West vs East clash with its prograde rotation, wave upon wave of geological disturbance enveloped the Globe - in a grinding directional conflict with Earth's velocity, the shock bulldozed & piled up the mounds comprising the Caucusus; Carpathian; Alpine; and Pyrinees mountain ranges, which combined, constitute the worlds greatest wrinkle. Earth's mantle tore at perpendicular to the point of strike, meridian-like, Southward across the Indian Ocean bed. Simultaneous, in the opposite direction, a 'fault line' emanated Northward from the impact site. Rearward to the East, in the wake of the destroyer, back blast & debris laid the landscape to waste and multiple scarring to sub-aquatic topography of the Pacific. Westward ahead of its path, the mineral belt was spewed across Europe.

Regulated by Polar wander, IceAges are triggered at intervals of 19500 years...

The momentum of the 'stone cast from Heaven' moreover commenced a revolution continuous the direction of its travel, West by SouthWest, whereby the equinox advances -- diametrically opposite, East by NorthEast -- the length of day is altered thereby. Circa 60myBP planet Earth received a new APP -- a game changer that raised the bar to an insurmountable survival level -- pitted against it, any civilization is likely to falter...

Concurrent with Earth's increasing slant, polar ice growth engulf more distant latitudes. Likewise, polar ice diminishes in tandem with increasing exposure to Sunlight. Resulting in Antarctica thawing entirely, this bi-polar freeze-melt is a product of Earth orbiting the Sun. Concurrent with glaciers decaying in one hemisphere, the opposite glaciates in rapid succession - sea level, inundation and greening of Earth follow accordingly. Anthropogenic deception is unmasked -- the acquired revolution implicates the Earth system in a cycle, whereby climate is consistently manipulated -- the GlobalWarming paradigm is shattered by a space collision.

Being a product thereof and not the gravity of Luna & Sol. The approximate 50' seconds change to the length of a day, accumulated for the duration of every precession rotation, factors with the phenomenon, which is quantified by 25920 SolarYears ('number of orbits' is rather a misnomer for expressing 'degree of angle' rotation :o) Accompanying the motion, each Pole respectively revolve in a circle, considerably larger than what the Lunar-Solar model predicts. Futhermore, classical theory depict polar wander occurring concentric around the vertical & parallel with the horizontal plane, which is thoroughly refuted.

Demonstrable, Earth's axis is perturbed at diagonal intersect by the extra dimensional rotation - its over-riding action gyrates the polar axis from the center outward, thereby causing change in its orientation and crucially, also inclination, which is variable. Consequently, the path of the Pole incurs in circle 72° in diameter -- offset by 14° & 58° obliquity parameters, respective of the EclipticPole -- a governing elemental, variable obliquity is a grim prospect... Changing within that range over 26 millennia the slant of our planet's axis interacts with the parabolic orbit, to which Earth is held consistently by our host star. The ensuing cut with the ecliptic determine the turn around points North & South of the Globe's equator - i.o.w. Solstice limits of latitude, by which seasonal swings are governed.

Observable at work in nature, the Earth system displays intelligent design - verily. The gyration and its consequences however, is not an original 'feature', nor evolved but acquired by chance, in a fateful instant of which neither object had pre-conceived intent - the outcome can therefore be termed 'accidental'. Perhaps not - the probability of man becoming a corrupt rogue and his creation, or procreation regrettable, may indeed justify the requirement of a reset button... Pegging the game-level of 'continual change' -- characteristic of our worldly realm -- whereby the condition & outcome respective every preceding event, consistently repeat: UnsuspectingMan 0 : 1 EarthSystem.

Potential of alternative scenarios increase with ability to influence the situation -- 'do or die' -- by engineering / manipulation of an outcome. Prospects of such would be subject to means & practicality respective collective human activity concerning time, food resources and availability of suitable land. Pursuance of surpassing the barrier of restrictions becomes more tenable from perspective of an elevated mindset, to which purpose awareness, forewarning, can spawn intent. Enlightenment, therefore widens choice, whereby destiny can be managed - at least influenced, should fate not intervene.

Then still, guarantee of advance to the 'next level' dimension, or a replay being a breeze with advantage of hindsight, is not part of the credits package - failure is ever present and seemingly integral, if not essential to learning (limiting the number of repeat being highly prized). On the physical plane however, growing population & a one-size-fits-all Earth don't add up and although regarding his prowess highly, man cannot yet inhabit Earth's satellite, the Moon, nor neighbouring Mars - both rather inhospitable at that...

The extent of de-glaciation and associated sea level fluctuation is diabolically underestimated, as is the frequency of Ice Ages: hauntingly subsided for 19 440 years, creeping up like a thief in the night, then, an apocalyptic epoch, 6480 years brimming with mayhem, in which the vengeful wrath of Glacial Maximus wipes the Earth clean... With it, seemingly man's memory, his great toil & feeble attempt at civilization, ability & know-how, most of his subsistence and substance -- greatly culled in number and threatening his very existence -- sorry, try again.

Ice melt... of course, dissipates time in drill cores - poof, gone! Previous IceAge: from 17 450 to 10 970 BC. The so-called abrupt cooling event, aka the Younger Dryas period, was actually the last GlacialMax. peak. Veritable, and naught to do with eccentricity of Earth's orbit, or diminished Solar output, the next IceAge is imminent: counting... six thousand, four hundred and fifty years to 8470 AD. Consequent with the hour glass running out of grains, so will dry surface on planet Earth.

Indeed, the reader won't be here, however, your... ____th generation will be.