Palaeoclimatic context of the Marília Formation in the Monte Alto region (São Paulo State), based on paleopedoly analysis

Abstract

The Marília Formation (Neocretaceous) occupies the upright section of the Bauru Group (Upper Cretaceous). With higher thickness preserved in the São Paulo state about 233 meters in the Lupércio city, this formation occurs extensively in the eastern part of the Planalto Ocidental Paulista, with distinction of high topographic levels like the Echaporã and Monte Alto plateau. Constituted basically by yellow-bright conglomerate sandstones and calcretes, this unit represents the result of the sedimentation by alluvial fan system (north/northeastern), under imperative dry climatic conditions. This analysis and description of palaeosoils inserted in the sedimentary section of this unit have as the main objective to contribute for the best understanding about palaeoclimatic conditions that were effective in the period of formation and evolution of these palaeosoils profiles