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High-resolution anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility record in the central Chinese Loess Plateau and its paleoenvironment implications

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Abstract

We analyze high-resolution anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) of the loess-paleosol successions at Luochuan, central Chinese Loess Plateau, in order to investigate the AMS characteristics and their climatic implications. Our results indicate a normal sedimentary magnetic fabric for almost of all samples, characterized by minimum susceptibility axes grouped in an almost vertical direction. Magnetic foliation and anisotropy degree show upwards decreasing trend due to decreasing post-depositional compaction. Magnetic lineations show no preferred directions and thus cannot indicate paleowind patterns. AMS parameters at Luochuan are controlled by particle size, pedogenesis, and sedimentary compaction. The high peaks of magnetic foliation and anisotropy degree of L2, L3, L6, L9, and L15 correspond to the coarse particle sizes of these loess beds, indicating the grain-size dependence of AMS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Cenozoic Geology and Environment, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, China

    WeiMing Liu & JiMin Sun

  2. Key Laboratory of Mountain Hazards and Earth Surface Process, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China

    WeiMing Liu

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  1. WeiMing Liu
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  2. JiMin Sun
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Correspondence to WeiMing Liu.

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Liu, W., Sun, J. High-resolution anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility record in the central Chinese Loess Plateau and its paleoenvironment implications. Sci. China Earth Sci. 55, 488–494 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-011-4354-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-011-4354-3

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