Genesis of Late-Quaternary Loess and Paleosols on the Columbia Plateau, Eastern Washington

这项研究项目是EAR8318909的更新，不同之处在于它侧重于华盛顿州哥伦比亚高原风化黄土沉积的区域源区、黄土分布和古土壤性质。将绘制、描述和采样30个黄土暴露。将对关键的火山标志层进行研究，对黄土进行热释光测年和分析，并检查古土壤的化学性质。这项研究的成果包括确定黄土源区、古土壤对古气候制度的响应知识变化以及与科迪勒冰盖活动有关的灾难性洪水事件的确定。华盛顿的帕劳斯黄土序列包含了美国第四纪古气候历史最完整的记录。同样具有实际意义的是，该地区正在考虑作为核废料储存库。而该地区的详细地层学对国家至关重要。

This research project is a renewal of EAR8318909, differing by its focus on regional source areas, distribution of loess, and properties of paleosols in the wind-blown loess deposits on the Columbia Plateau, Washington. Thirty loess exposures will be mapped, described and sampled. Key volcanic marker layers will be studied, thermoluminescent dating and analysis of loess and examination of chemical properties of paleosols will be undertaken. Outcomes of this research include identification of loess source regions, knowledge variations in paleosols in response to paleoclimatic regimes, and identification of episodes of cataclysmic flooding in association with activities of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet. The Palouse loess sequences of Washington contain the most complete record of Quaternary paleoclimatic history in the U.S. Also of practical importance, the region is under consideration for a nuclear waste repository. and a detailed stratigraphy of the area is of vital importance to the nation.