COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: A Detailed Chronology of the Loess-Paleosol Record of the Last Glacial/Interglacial Cycle in the North American Midcontinent

University Of Iowa, Iowa City IA

Investigators

Abstract

ABSTRACT Collaborative Research: A detailed chronology of the Loess-Paleosol Record of the last glacial/Interglacial Cycle in the North American Midcontinent Loess deposits represent one of the most important terrestrial records of long-term Quaternary climatic change. High-resolution records of past environmental conditions can be extracted from loess deposits provided that the deposits can be accurately dated. We propose to apply three independent dating techniques (10Be inventory, AMS14C, and Optically Stimulated Luminescence) to develop a high-resolution chronology for loess of the last two glacial/interglacial cycles in eastern Nebraska. This chronology will enable us to make accurate estimates of dust flux to the atmosphere over this time period, to evaluate the relative contribution of competing loess sources in the North American Midcontinent, and to determine the length of time represented by the last interglacial (Sangamon) soil in eastern Nebraska.