干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

Slope evolution in desert environments may result in the development of talus flatirons. In the Ebro Basin, talus flatiron sequences are often found at the foot of structural platforms and mesas. In four areas located in the centre of the Ebro Basin, five stages of slope evolution have been identified in the talus flatiron sequences. Talus relictts corresponding to the four younger stages have been dated from archaeological remains and charcoals within the slope accumulations. The obtained ages are Post-Medieval, 2900-2400 yrs BP, 27,862+/-444 yrs BP, and 35,570+/-490 yrs BP. There is a good correlation of the dated slope accumulations with cold climatic periods (Little Ice Age, Iron Age Cold Epoch) and Heinrich events (H-3-27 ka and H-4-35 ka). This correlation seems to indicate that talus flatirons can be considered as palaeoclimatic indicators.