Abstract: The paper recommends the application of the hierarchical cluster, order cluster analysis and order correspondence analysis in dividing quaternary sporo-pollen zones, and the use of continuity coefficient (K) in defining classification number of the order cluster, the use of the ratio of factor load (D) in extending the result of the correspondence analysis to the classification of order samples. The application of above mentioned coefficients can help to assess better rationality in dividing sporopollen zones and provide evidence for the determination of the quaternary lower boundary, the evolution features of the paleovegetation and the paleoclimate. The sporo-pollen data of 36.2 samples in seven boreholes from the Northern China Plain (between 113–118˚E and 35–40˚N) were computed in this paper, and as a result, five sporopollen zones and six sporo-pollen subzones were defined. These zones and subzones, establishedon the basis of quantitative analysis, are closely related to the paleomagnetic polar and showno difference from the strata division by geological comprehensive interpretation, the ratio ofmisinterpretation is generally less than 5%. The age for each sporo-polten zones is as follows: sporo-pollen zone 1 ought to be Holocene Epoch, which is less than 1–1.2× 10⁴ years B. P. (Determined by the 14C method); ZoneⅡ ought to be Late Pleistocene, its boundary is located near Blake event in the paleomagneticpolar column; Zone Ill, Middle Pleistocene, B/M, about 73× 10⁴ years B. P.; Zone IV, EarlyPleistocene, M/G, about 248×10⁴ years B. P.; and Zone V, Pliocene, which is located under Gauss epoch in the paleomagnetic Polar column.

Key words: Quaternary Sporo-pollen, Sporo-pollen zones, Quantitative analysis