Abstract
Two Red Clay profiles near Xi’an and Xifeng were investigated in an attempt to determine magnetostratigraphic and palaeoclimatic records. The results show that aeolian dust accumulation and the related East Asia palaeomonsoon system had begun by 6.5 Ma, and it is deduced that the Tibetan Plateau had reached a significant elevation at that time. The late Tertiary palaeoclimatic history of the Red Clay as reflected by magnetic susceptibility is reconstructed during the period of 6.5–2.5 Ma. Stepwise increase in susceptibility of aeolian dust accumulation appears to have a close correlation to the uplift processes of the Tibetan Plateau. The remarkable increase of aeolian dust accumulation at 3.2 Ma appears to be due to the influence of global ice volume on the East Asia monsoon. Palaeomonsoon variation during the late Tertiary as recorded in the Red Clay sequences from the Chinese Loess Plateau can be regarded as the product of a number of interacting factors, such as uplift of the Tibetan Plateau, solar radiation, global ice volume, etc.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
An Zhisheng, Wu Xihao, Wang Pingxianet al, Paleomonsoon of China over the last 130 ka—II Paleomonsoon variation,Sctence in China (in Chinese), Ser B, 1991, (11): 1209
Zhao Jinpo, Research on the later Tertiary Red Clay in Xi’an and Baode,Acta of Sedimentology (in Chinese), 1989, 7: 113
Yuan Baoyin, Developing mechanism and its evolution process of the loess geomorphology in China, inGeomorphology in China and Its Evolution (in Chinese), Beijing: China Ocean Press, 1993, 132–148
Ye Duzheng, Gao Youxi,Meteorology of Tibetan Plateau (in Chinese), Beijing: Science Press, 1979, 1–257
WU Xihao, Wang Fubao, An Zhishenget al, Uplift stage and elevation of Tibetan Plateau over the Late Cenozoic, inLoess Quaternary Geology: Global Change(3) (eds. Liu Tungsheng, An Zhisheng) (in Chinese), Beijing: Science Press, 1992, 1–13
Qiu Zhangxiang, Huang Weilong, Gao Zhihui,Hipparion Fossil in China (in Chinese), Beijing: Science Press, 1987, 1–250
Jia Lanpo, Zhang Yuping, Huang Wanpoet al, Cenozoic stratigraphy of Lantian area, Shaanxi Province, inProceeding Conference Cenozoic of Lantian Area, Shaanxi Province, Beijing: Science Press, 1966, 1–31
Zheng Hongbo, An Zhisheng, Shaw, Jet al, Study on magnetostratigraphy of Duanjiapo loess profile, inLoess ⋅ Quaternary Geology. Global Change (3) (eds. Liu Tungsheng, An Zhisheng) (in Chinese), Beijing: Science Press, 1992, 38–43
Cande, S. C., Kent, D. V., Revised calibration of the geomagnetic polarity timescale for the late Cretaceous and Cenozoic,Journal of Geophysical Research, 1995, 100: 6093
Baksi, A. K., Fine tuning the radiometrically derived geomagnetic polarity time scale (GPTS) for 0–10 Ma,Geophysical Research Letters, 1995, 22: 457
Liu, X. M., Liu, T. S., Xu, T. C.et al., The primary study on magnetostratigraphy of the Loess Profile in Xifeng area, Gansu Province,Geophy F. R. Astr. Soc., 1988, 92: 345
Prell, W. L., Kutzbach, J. R., Sensitivity of the Indian monsoon to forcing parameters and implications for its evolution,Nature, 1992, 360: 647
Shackleton, N. J., Hall, M. A., Pate, D., Pliocene stable isotope stratigraphy of site 846, inProceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific Results (eds. Pisias, N. G., Mayer, L. A., Janecek, T. R.et al.), Texas: College Station, 1995, 138:337–355
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Foundation of Xi’an Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sun, D., Liu, D., Chen, M. et al. Magnetostratigraphy and palaeoclimate of Red Clay sequences from Chinese Loess Plateau. Sci. China Ser. D-Earth Sci. 40, 337–343 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02877564
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02877564