Spatial Distribution, Material Composition and Provenance of Loess in Xinjiang, China: Progress and Challenges

The loess in the arid area of Xinjiang is located at eastern end Central Asia Loess Belt, and paleoclimate research about it great importance for understanding mechanism interaction Eurasian Westerly monsoon system aridity Asia. This review focuses on recent progress concerning spatial distribution, material composition provenance points out shortcomings challenges to dust circulation. Field investigation previous studies indicate that sediments have been mainly distributed river terraces windward piedmont Tianshan Mountains Kunlun since late Pliocene (mainly Pleistocene). Grain size age data show deposits some locations are rapid discontinuous or sedimentary hiatus. Siberian High largely controlled mobilization accumulation northern but not southern Xinjiang. In Asia, intensity activity may be determined by Caspian Sea–Hindu Kush Index (CasHKI) local However, there enough evidence CasHKI index can affect Tarim Basin area. Consequently, ascertaining driving mid-latitude winds dynamic process deposition a specific suggestion critical future research. Many indicators shown sources composed proximal materials plus remote materials. Alluvial plains proluvial fans contributed more deposition, while Asian deserts comprise small proportion research, new technologies methods should continuously tested facilitate an objective