Palynological record of the Carnian Pluvial Episode from the northwestern Sichuan Basin, SW China

The prevailing arid Late Triassic climate was interrupted by a humid Carnian Pluvial Episode (CPE) during the mid-Carnian period. In this study, a palynological study was conducted for the Ma'antang Formation (Carnian) from the northwestern Sichuan Basin, SW China, in the eastern Tethys. The study reveals dominance of terrestrial palynomorphs, and two palynological assemblage zones were identified. Palynofloras are well-presented by dominant ferns (especially Dipteridaceae/Matoniaceae), with less abundant lycopsids, conifers, cycadophytes/ ginkgophytes and seed ferns. Overwhelming predominance of wet Lowland SEG and hygrophyte elements, and increased Lowland/Hinterland as well as hygrophyte/xerophyte ratios observed in Units 2-4 of the Ma'antang Formation, suggesting intensified humidity during the Julian 2 in this area. This study presents the first palynological evidence for vegetation changes in South China during the CPE, and correlates well with obser-vations from North China as well as western Tethys, thus further supports worldwide impact of humid climate associated with the CPE. (c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study conducted a palynological study in the northwestern Sichuan Basin, Southwest China, and revealed the impact of a humid Carnian Pluvial Episode on vegetation changes in the region during the Late Triassic period. The results correlate well with observations from North China and the western Tethys, supporting the worldwide impact of a humid climate.