Understanding the characteristics of loess strata and quaternary climate changes in Luochuan, Shaanxi Province, China, through core analysis

Abstract Profile sampling, which causes missing or overlapping horizons, has been generally used while studying loess stratigraphy and paleoclimate. Conversely, drill sampling of thick can provide a relatively complete actual record the Quaternary climate environmental changes. Here, paleomagnetic chronological analysis particle size magnetic susceptibility analyses were performed to accurately reveal characteristics Luochuan tableland in Fu County, Shaanxi Province, China. The FX core revealed that layer was 167.03 m consisted 33 layers developed loess/paleosol sequences 37 assemblages. paleosol horizons indicated warm humid climatic period, loess/sand reflected cold arid climate. Since 2.6 Ma, region undergone cycles trending toward an increasingly dry During this time, 10 paleoclimate occurred during 2.6–1.6 15 1.6–0.8 12 loess–paleosol have from 0.8 Ma present day. Our study provides basis for comprehensively interpreting paleoenvironment deposition formation.