Paleoclimate and the Global Distribution of Paleosols

Abstract

A theoretical model is developed for the relationship between paleoclimate and paleosols for the time interval following the widespread appearance of vascular land plants. The model defines four paleoclimatic zones: (1) a wet equatorial zone primarily characterized by Oxisols and secondarily by Argillisols and Histosols; (2) a subtropical dry zone containing Calcisols and less commonly Gypsisols and Vertisols; (3) a moist mid-latitude zone with Argillisols, Spodosols, Gleysols, and Histosols; and (4) a polar zone featuring Protosols and Gleysols. The model is general in nature and its application to the geologic past will be affected by variability through time in paleogeography and paleoclimatic parameters.