Abstract
Climatic variations in China during the Quaternary have long been a question of debate. Considerable data now available support Professor Li Siguang's (J. S. Lee) suggestion that there were four glacial periods. In this later years the views of Professor Li have received support from more recent information demonstrating that a further glacial period and periglacial phenomena preceded the Boyang Period.
During the Quaternary 3,500,000 years ago there were a number of climatic fluctuations in China, having an amplitude of over 10°C and a cycle of 104 to 105 years. Each fluctuation lasted from the onset of one glacial period to that of the next, encompassing a glacial period and an interglacial. Tab 1 provides a comparison between the glacial periods in China during the Quaternary and those in other regions of the world.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chu Ko chen (Co-ching Chu): A Preliminary Study on the Climatic Fluctuations during the last 5,000 years in China. Scientia Sinica XVI, 2, 226–256 (1963)
Lee J.S.: Quaternary Glaciations in the Lushan Area, Central China. Monograph of the Institute of Geology, Academia Sinica. Ser. B Vol. II. Nanking, 1947.
Sun Tien-ching and Yang Huai-jen: The Great Ice Age Glaciation in China. Acta Geologica Sinica. 41, 3–4, 234–244 (1961)
Yeh Tu-chen and Chang Chieh-chien: A Preliminary Experimental Simulation on the Heating of the Tibetan Plateau on the General Circulation over Eastern Asia in Summer. Scientia Sinica. XVII, 3, 397–420 (1974)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wanti, D., Quingyu, P. & Xihao, W. Climatic variations in China during the quaternary. GeoJournal 4, 515–524 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00214217
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00214217