Publication Date:
2009-02-27
Description:
Only few data from South-East Asia document paleoenvironments evolution during the Cenozoic. Here we analyse palynological records from four sites of Thailand. The unique site dated from the Oligocene shows a temperate signal, while younger Miocene records show a tropical signal with variations in the hydrology of the deposition basin, as well as a temperate extra-local signal that could be related to a mid-altitude flora. The mid-Miocene Chiang Muan basin has delivered several occurrences of an opened biotope (Poaceae) alternatively replaced by what could be Syzygium gallery-forests. Khorat (−9 to −6.5 Ma) pollen records deliver similar results, but linked to a strong local signal. Regional and local signals remain difficult to separate, notably because of badly known palynomorphs, but our high resolution record confirm oceanic data that suggest high variability in Miocene climate, as well as modelling studies inferring an early onset of the Asian monsoon.
Print ISSN:
1814-9340
Electronic ISSN:
1814-9359
Topics:
Geosciences
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