Open paleoenvironment and dry climate in south India immediately before the Youngest Toba Tuff eruption (∼75 ka) are suggested by Vondrichnus structures at the Jwalapuram locality, Jurreru valley
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2024
Abstract
The Younger Toba Tuff (YTT) eruption is regarded as one of the largest of its time and possibly responsible for changing past climate and vegetation from C-3 to C-4 in the Indian subcontinent. A paleosol constituting a Toba pre-tephra horizon at the Jwalapuram locality, exhibits the preservation of biogenic structures identified as Vondrichnus planoglobus and Vondrichnus obovatus. This study investigated their paleoecological and paleoenvironmental significance. These structures are hard and compact, rounded to sub-rounded, spherical to sub-spherical bodies with empty chambers, surrounded by carbonate layers, and preserved in close proximity to termite pipes and nests and rhizolith structures. Their occurrence in the Jwalapuram area is significant, as the locality has been well documented as suitable for reconstruction of past climate and vegetation in light of the impact of the YTT eruption. Based on the present findings, we assume that the investigated locality would likely have an insect population and bush to scrub vegetation, indicating a dry environment immediately before the YTT eruption.
Keywords
Paleosol, Vondrichnus, Dry climate, YTT eruption, Quaternary
Divisions
GEOLOGY
Funders
Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), New Delhi, India (SB/SE/S4-2013),SGB Amravati University, Maharashtra, India
Publication Title
Quaternary Research
Volume
121
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Publisher Location
EDINBURGH BLDG, SHAFTESBURY RD, CB2 8RU CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND