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A 20‐ka climate record from Central Himalayan loess deposits
Author(s) -
Pant R. K.,
Basavaiah N.,
Juyal N.,
Saini N. K.,
Yadava M. G.,
Appel E.,
Singhvi A. K.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of quaternary science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.142
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1099-1417
pISSN - 0267-8179
DOI - 10.1002/jqs.938
Subject(s) - loess , geology , radiocarbon dating , pedogenesis , silt , weathering , paleosol , deposition (geology) , thermoluminescence dating , geochemistry , monsoon , chronology , geomorphology , quaternary , physical geography , paleontology , sediment , soil water , climatology , soil science , geography
The southwest monsoon that dominated Central Himalaya has preserved loessic silt deposits preserved in patches that are proximal to periglacial areas. The occurrence of such silts suggests contemporary prevalence of cold and dry northwesterly winds. Field stratigraphy, geochemistry, mineral magnetism, infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) and radiocarbon dating has enabled reconstruction of an event chronology during the past 20 ka. Three events of loess accretion could be identified. The first two events of loess deposition occurred betweem 20 and 9 ka and were separated by a phase of moderate weathering. Pedogenesis at the end of this event gave rise to a well‐developed soil that was bracketed around 9 to > 4 ka. This was followed by the third phase of loess accretion that occurred around 4 to > 1 ka. Episodes of loess deposition and soil formation are interpreted in terms of changes in the strength of the Indian southwest monsoon. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.