Continental Drift and Climate Change in North China
Author Information
Author(s): Ren Qiang, Zhang Shihong, Hou Mingcai, Zheng Dongyu, Wu Huaichun, Yang Tianshui, Li Haiyan, Chen Anqing, Ogg James G.
Primary Institution: Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, China
Hypothesis
The northward drift of the North China Block contributed to its transition from a tropical wet climate to a subtropical arid climate during the Early Permian.
Conclusion
The study provides evidence that the northward movement of the North China Block was the main driver of its aridification during the Early Permian.
Supporting Evidence
- The North China Block underwent rapid northward drift between 290 and 281 million years ago.
- This movement corresponds to a transition from coal-bearing deposits to red-bed deposits.
- The findings align with modern climatic zonation patterns.
Takeaway
A long time ago, a piece of land called the North China Block moved north and changed from a wet place with lots of rain to a dry place, which affected the climate there.
Methodology
Paleomagnetic analysis was conducted on oriented samples collected from geological formations in the North China Block to trace its climatic transition.
Limitations
Paleomagnetic data from the North China Block during the Early Permian are sparse and constrained by imprecise dating.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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