Paleoclimatic modulation of high- and low-latitude signals in mid-latitude Asian loess since the late Pleistocene

Milankovitch theory suggests summer insolation at high northern latitudes drives Quaternary climate, yet low-latitude forcing’s role remains uncertain. Here, we report a new loess record since ~120 ka in arid Central Asia (ACA), and integrate it with other records from the westerly and monsoon regions of mid-latitude Asia. The results indicate for the first time that in addition to control of high-latitude systems, ACA was influenced by a half-precession (12–9 ka) signal from low-latitude systems. The westerlies and the Siberian High from high-latitude systems modulate mid-latitude Asian dust emissions, while the maximum equatorial insolation-induced western Pacific SST changes from low-latitude systems result in moisture propagation to mid-latitude Asia via southeastern atmospheric pathways. Overall, our findings demonstrate the combined effects of both high- and low-latitude systems on climate change in mid-latitude Asia, and particularly emphasize the significance of the low-latitude forcing of Quaternary climatic variability.