“…Further synthesis of the timing of the initial appearance of late Cenozoic loess and red clay deposits in China, CA, and Europe (Buggle et al., 2009; Chlachula, 2003; Ding et al., 2002; Fang et al., 2002, 2020; Forster et al., 1996; Z. Guo et al., 2002; Jin et al., 2000; Jordanova et al., 2008; Lazarenko et al., 1981; X. Li et al., 2018; Liu et al., 2008; Lu et al., 2012; Marković et al., 2006; Nazarov et al., 2020; Qiang et al., 2011; Qiao et al., 2003; D. Sun et al., 1998; Sartori et al., 1999; Song et al., 2005, 2021; Qiang et al., 2001; Virina et al., 2000; Wang et al., 2016; Yan et al., 2001; Yang & Ding, 2010; Zan et al., 2018; Zeng et al., 2016) demonstrates that the expansion of eolian deposits on the Eurasian continent mainly experienced four major stages: 25–22, 8–7, 2.7–2.4, and 1.2–0.6 Myr (Figure 3b). The last two stages are roughly concurrent with the dramatic increase in global ice volume (Zachos et al., 2001), indicating that global cooling exerted a dominant role in the appearance and expansion of loess deposits on the Eurasian continent since the late Pliocene.…”