Resolving the Holocene alluvial record in southeastern Australia using luminescence and radiocarbon techniques

Michael D. Cheetham*, Annabelle F. Keene, Wayne D. Erskine, Richard T. Bush, Kathryn Fitzsimmons, Geraldine E. Jacobsen, Stewart J. Fallon

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    16 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    A previous assessment of radiocarbon (14C) dates from alluvial units in southeastern Australia revealed a gap in the geochronological record that coincides with the Holocene climatic optimum. This gap in the alluvial record can be further refined using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL). The chronology of Holocene river terraces on Widden Brook, a sandy alluvial stream in southeastern Australia, was established using 14C and OSL techniques. Combined use of these independent techniques allows for a more rigorous assessment of the alluvial record. The robust chronology, consisting of 38 14C and 11 OSL samples, permitted identification of significant depositional variation within the catchment, resulting from localised geomorphic processes. The three terrace sequences identified yielded distinct chronologies, suggesting alluvial deposition at different times. The sequences exhibited a continuous chronology, which indicated continuous deposition throughout the Holocene. The chronology of terrace sequences within this catchment suggests that terrace formation can be attributed to localised geomorphic processes rather than climatic forcing.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1160-1168
    Number of pages9
    JournalJournal of Quaternary Science
    Volume25
    Issue number7
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Oct 2010

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