Evolution of a Late Pleistocene palaeolake in Dali Nor area of southeastern Inner Mongolia Plateau, China

Lithological, geochronological, granulometric, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses of eight lacustrine outcrops indicate the existence of a large palaeolake in Dali Nor area during 149–24.6 ka (MIS5–3) and a small one in upstream of the Xilamulun River during 12.96–11.69 ka. The large palaeolake recorded its highest water level above 1300 m during the MIS3 and covered the whole Dali Nor basin and upstream of the Xilamulun River within an area of about 3000 km2. However, the small palaeolake with a highest water level above 1200 m, covered an area of about 600 km2. Besides the reconstruction of palaeolake areas, this study also looked into the evolutionary process of the palaeolake during the Late Pleistocene. Our data provide insights on the timing of appearance of the large palaeolakes and a better understanding of the mechanism responsible for variations in the environment conditions of dry lands in middle latitudes.