Red clays from Cenozoic palaeosols of the Eastern Alps record periods of
stagnating uplift and decrease of relief. Tropical to sub-tropical
weathering of a crystalline substratum formed dominant or abundant
kaolinite, reflecting Paleogene and Early Miocene conditions,
respectively. Abundant illite and chlorite, but a lack of kaolinite in
red clays on the plateaus of the Northern Calcareous Alps reflects
feldspar-poor compositons of the Cenozoic siliciclastic cover. The
presence of high Ba/Sr and Rb/Sr ratios and vermiculite in these red
clays indicates high precipitation and temperate weathering conditions,
respectively, during the Late Miocene and Early Pilocene on the
uplifting plateaus of the Northern Calcareous Alps.