Three abrupt climatic events since the Late Pleistocene in the North China Plain

Abstract

Based on the data from 121boreholes (9552 samples) and the distribution pattern analysis of foraminifera, ostracods, pollen, spores, wooly rhinoceros, elephants, water buffalo and beachrocks in time and space, three abrupt climate change events since the Late Pleistocene are recognized in the North China Plain. These climatic events caused three very warm periods and two severely cold periods. During the two warmest periods, the mean temperature was about 7°C higher than at present, and during the two extreme cold periods, the mean temperature was some 6° lower than today. Moreover, the last warm period was in the Middle Holocene; its mean temperature was 3° higher than now in the region.