PALEOCLIMATE AND THE GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION OF PALEOSOLS

A theoretical model is developed for the relationship between paleocli mate and paleosols for the time interval following the widespread appe arance of vascular land plants. The model defines four paleoclimatic z ones: (1) a wet equatorial zone primarily characterized by Oxisols and secondarily by Argillisols and Histosols; (2) a subtropical dry zone containing Calcisols and less commonly Gypsisols and Vertisols; (3) a moist mid-latitude zone with Argillisols, Spodosols, Gleysols, and His tosols; and (4) a polar zone featuring Protosols and Gleysols. The mod el is general in nature and its application to the geologic past will be affected by variability through time in paleogeography and paleocli matic parameters.