AN INTEGRATED STUDY OF THE LATE PLEISTOCENE LOESS HORIZONS, THE BELOVO STRATOTYPE SECTION

A. O. Sizikova, V. S. Zykina, I. Yu. Ovchinnikov, V. S. Panov

The authors have analyzed the loess horizons of the loess-soil sequence stratotypes of the Late Pleistocene Belovo cross-section (Ob loess Plateau, Barnaul Ob Area). The paper provides data of sand quartz grain morphoscopy and morphometry, which prove that the deposits under study were formed by wind under cryoarid conditions. A detailed grain-size analysis revealed increase in eolian activity during the last 130.000 years. The same is true based on calculated average sedimentation rates. The paper includes speculative wind speeds during the loess accumulation and study of loess microstructure. The authors have proven that an integrated approach to loess strata analysis is preferable.

Key words: loess, loess-soil sequence; morphoscopy of quartz grains на sand quartz grain morphoscopy, Late Pleistocene, paleogeography, morphoscopy of quartz grains, sedimentation rate, grain-size analysis, micromorphology, south of Western Siberia.