The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the core SL-1, collected from Selin Co, the climate sensitive regions in the central Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, reveals that the minerals in the core mainly include aragonite, calcite , hydromagnesite, dolomite, gypsum and clastic materials such as quartz, muscovite, chlorite, feldspar, etc.. Based on the mineralogy of the sediments, three climate evolution stages are identified in Selin Co area since 5090 a BP, i.e. , 5090-2900 a BP; 2900-1135 a BP; 1135-0 a BP. The climate was changed from cool dry at 5090-2900 a BP to cold dry 1135 a BP-present, with a transition during 2900-1135 a BP. Meanwhile, several cold events are also retrieved in the late Holocene, according to the accumulation of hydromagnesite in the lower part of the core.

Selin Co  /  central Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau  /  mineral assemblage  /  paleoclimate  /  cold event