Climatic events during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene in the Upper Parana River: Correlation with NE Argentina and South-Central Brazil

Most Quaternary studies in Brazil are restricted to the Atlantic Coast and are mainly based on coastal morphology and sea level changes, whereas research on inland areas is largely unexplored. The study area lies along the Parana River, state of Parana, Brazil, at 22 degrees 43'S latitude and 53 degrees 10'W longitude, where the river is as yet undammed. Paleoclimatological data were obtained from 10 vibro cores and 15 motor auger holes. Sedimentological and pollen analyses plus TL and (14)C dating were used to establish the following evolutionary history of Late Pleistocene and Holocene climates: [GRAPHICS] Climatic intervals are in agreement with prior studies made in southern Brazil and in northeastern Argentina. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.