Holocene rock varnish microstratigraphy and its chronometric application in the drylands of western USA

Auteurs :
LIU, T.
BROECKER, W.S.

Description :
Analyses of hundreds of rock varnish samples from latest Pleistocene and Holocene geomorphic features in the drylands of western USA reveal a regionally replicable Holocene microlamination sequence. This radiometrically calibrated and climatically correlated Holocene microlamination sequence was then used as a unique correlative dating tool to determine surface exposure ages of geomorphic and geoarchaeological features in western USA deserts. The results indicate that, when properly applied, the varnish microlamination dating technique has the great potential to yield numerical age assignments for surface stone tools, petroglyphs, and geoglyphs of prehistoric age in the drylands of western USA.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Geomorphology (Amsterdam), issn : 0169-555X, 2007, vol. 84, n°. 1-2, p. 1-21, nombre de pages : 21, Collation : Illustration, Références bibliographiques : 66 ref.

Date :
2007

Editeur :
Pays édition : Pays-Bas, Amsterdam, Elsevier