Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons™
Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Quaternary Loess-Paleosol Sequences As Examples Of Climate-Driven Sedimentary Extremes, Daniel R. Muhs, E. Arthur Bettis Iii
Quaternary Loess-Paleosol Sequences As Examples Of Climate-Driven Sedimentary Extremes, Daniel R. Muhs, E. Arthur Bettis Iii
United States Geological Survey: Staff Publications
Loess is a widespread, wind-transported, silt-dominated deposit that contains geologic archives of atmospheric circulation and paleoclimate on continents. Loess may cover as much as 10% of the Earth’s land surface. It is composed mainly of quartz, feldspars, and clay minerals, with varying amounts of carbonate minerals. The geochemistry of loess differs from region to region, depending on source materials, but all loess is very high in SiO2 with lesser amounts of other major elements. Trends in loess downwind from source areas include systematic decreases in thickness and amounts of sand and coarse silt, and increases in amounts of fine silt …