Pedogenesis and paleoclimate: Interpretation of the magnetic susceptibility record of Chinese loess-paleosol sequences

Abstract

Research Article| November 01, 1993 Pedogenesis and paleoclimate: Interpretation of the magnetic susceptibility record of Chinese loess-paleosol sequences Kenneth L. Verosub; Kenneth L. Verosub 1Department of Geology, University of California, Davis, California 95616 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Pinchas Fine; Pinchas Fine 2Institute of Soils and Water, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50-250, Israel Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Michael J. Singer; Michael J. Singer 3Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California, Davis, California 95616 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jeff TenPas Jeff TenPas 3Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California, Davis, California 95616 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1993) 21 (11): 1011–1014. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1993)021<1011:PAPIOT>2.3.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Kenneth L. Verosub, Pinchas Fine, Michael J. Singer, Jeff TenPas; Pedogenesis and paleoclimate: Interpretation of the magnetic susceptibility record of Chinese loess-paleosol sequences. Geology 1993;; 21 (11): 1011–1014. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1993)021<1011:PAPIOT>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract In the Chinese loess-paleosol sequences from Luochuan, Haanxi province, China, variations in the magnetic susceptibility have been accepted as an excellent proxy for paleoclimate, and the standard interpretation is that climatic processes have enhanced the magnetic susceptibility of the paleosols beyond the base-line level of the loess. By using mineral magnetic properties and a soil-chemistry extraction procedure, we show that most of the magnetic susceptibility signal in both the paleosols and the loess is due to pedogenesis. In effect, loess deposition and pedogenesis are competing processes at all times, and the presence of a paleosol simply indicates that the latter process was predominant. These results imply that any interpretation of the paleoclimate record of loess-paleosol sequences must recognize the pedogenic nature of the magnetic susceptibility signal and that the focus of future research must be on the critical role of climate in the development of the paleosols. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.