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Late Quaternary environments in north-central India

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Abstract

Microfossil, sediment and oxygen isotope studies of deep-sea cores from the Bay of Bengal and northern Arabian Sea1–5 have revealed strong contrasts between high late Pleistocene and low early Holocene salinity values3, indicative of major changes in runoff from the large rivers of southern Asia2,3. Here we present the first radiocarbon-dated continental evidence for late Quaternary changes in river regime and loess accumulation in this region. Our data support earlier palaeoclimatic inferences based solely on oceanic evidence2,3, have important implications for fluvial palaeohydrology6, and provide clear environmental constraints against which to test existing regional models of prehistoric land use and early agriculture 7–9.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Earth Sciences and Quaternary Research Unit, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, 2113, Australia

    M. A. J. Williams & M. F. Clarke

Authors
  1. M. A. J. Williams
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  2. M. F. Clarke
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Williams, M., Clarke, M. Late Quaternary environments in north-central India. Nature 308, 633–635 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/308633a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/308633a0

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