Chinese Loess and the East Asian Monsoon

Abstract

This chapter offers a comprehensive review of loess studies on the Loess Plateau, and how they provide evidence for past monsoon variability. The chronological framework that has been established for the Loess Plateau with the use of multiple chronometers is explained in detail. Sedimentological, paleomagnetic and geochemical climate proxies are also discussed, and the history,variability and dynamics of the paleomonsoon is described at tectonic, orbital and millennial time scales.