Cation-ratio dating of quaternary materials in the east-central mojave desert, california

Ronald I. Dorn, Donna Tanner, Brent D. Turrin, John C. Dohrenwend

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

An excellent correlation is found between K+Ca:Ti ratios in rock varnishes and radiometric ages of K-Ar-dated basalt flows in the Cima volcanic field and accelerator-radiocarbon-dated varnishes from nearby sites in the east-central Mojave Desert of California. This calibration extends from about 1 million to about 100 years BP, allowing the chronometric dating of geomorphic and archaeologic surfaces in the eastcentral Mojave Desert. There are significant differences between this curve and the cation-leaching curve developed for the Coso Range, southestern California. Therefore, this curve cannot be used to determine the ages of rock varnishes in areas far beyond the east-central Mojave Desert.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)72-81
Number of pages10
JournalPhysical Geography
Volume8
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1987
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • California
  • Cima volcanic field
  • Geomorphology
  • Mojave Desert
  • Quaternary dating methods
  • Rock varnish

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Environmental Science
  • Atmospheric Science
  • Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

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