| Abstract: | Palaeoenvironment in Java island and its surrounding areas since the last interglacial stage was reconstructed initially using previous studies by various researchers. The karst area in Gunung Sewu on Java island was also examined by the authors in order to reconstruct the palaeoenvironment through the process of karstification. Summarizing the evidence related to palaeoclimate in the various areas made it clear that the palaeoclimatic condition was cooler and drier at the Last Glacial Maximum 18 000 yr BP, than today. Formation of dry valleys in Gunung Sewu was conditioned by lowering of sea-level, and establishment of a cool and extremely dry climate. Subsequent to the initial reconstruction, the results of the estimated palaeoclimate at 18 000 yr BP were plotted at the respective points where the samples were obtained, and maps for northern winter and northern summer were constructed showing the estimated streamlines of monsoon circulations, polar frontal zones and intertropical convergence zones, in order to better explain the distribution of the palaeoclimate conditions of the area. ©1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
