Open AccessMagnetic mineralogy of Chinese loess and its significance
Author(s) -
Liu Xiuming,
Shaw John,
Liu Tungsheng,
Heller Friedrich,
Yuan Baoyin
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
geophysical journal international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.302
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1365-246X
pISSN - 0956-540X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-246x.1992.tb00859.x
Subject(s) - loess , geology , mineralogy , geochemistry , geomorphology
SUMMARY The topmost 16 metres of the loess section at Xifeng (central Chinese loess plateau), which cover the last 128 000 years, consist of two palaeosol beds interlayered by a loess horizon. Hysteresis parameters, frequency‐dependent, field‐ and temperature‐dependent susceptibility show very similar and stable magnetic mineral constituents in both loess and palaeosol samples. The concentration and grain size of magnetite, maghaemite and haematite control the magnetic properties of Chinese loess. Susceptibility and loess thickness are closely related to geographic position and (present) climate across the loess plateau. The loess and palaeosol magnetic properties are largely controlled by the fine‐grained magnetite formed in various quantities and grain sizes under the influence of pedogenesis during variable palaeoclimatic conditions. Therefore regional and global palaeoclimatic development during the last 2.5 Myr can be reconstructed from susceptibility records in the loess plateau.