The (mis)conception of average Quaternary conditions

Abstract The concept of Quaternary average conditions has gained popularity over the past few decades, especially with studies long-term landscape evolution. In this paper, we critically assess by analyzing marine isotope record (LR04 δ 18 O stack) relative to Quaternary. This shows that frequency and amplitude climate glacial-interglacial cycles are not constant throughout Quaternary, a clear change during Middle Pleistocene Transition (MPT), many minor oscillations exist within each cycle. For reason, identification pre- post-MPT most-frequent and, cumulatively, longest-lasting (rather than average) is recommended. pre-MPT value 3.725 ± 0.025‰ last occurred 11.31–11.47 ka, while 4.475 14.81–15.04 ka. However, other values were almost as frequent present geomorphological reasons why it unlikely present-day reflects or, indeed, conditions. Collectively, our results indicate extreme caution should be taken when attempting infer evolution processes (including buzzsaw hypothesis) based on