Reply to Li and Song's discussion of “Loess genesis and worldwide distribution”

Abstract

Li et al. (2020) reviewed and compiled worldwide loess distribution and identified three loess genesis modes (CR, MR and MRD), according to which Central Asian and Chinese Xinjiang loesses are generalized into MRD mode. Referring to Li et al. (2020), Li and Song (2020) discussed the loess genesis modes of several local sites in the said region on the grounds of geochemical data and modern dust storm observations and records. Concluding that the main dust sources are river systems rather than deserts, they averred that the loess genesis mode in Central Asia and Xinjiang region of China should be classified as MR mode. In reply to Li and Song (2020), the present article further discusses the main loess genesis modes in this region considering landform, near-surface wind over deserts, and loess distribution pattern and characteristics. We maintain that the primary genesis mode of the main loess bodies (accounting for approximately 80%) of this region is in MRD mode, although MR mode loesses (approximately 20%) exist in some small-scale basins and surrounding areas.