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

本研究项目是EAR8318909的延续，不同之处在于其重点是华盛顿哥伦比亚高原风成黄土沉积物的区域源区、黄土分布和古土壤性质。将对30个黄土暴露点进行测绘、描述和取样。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，并对古土壤的化学性质进行检查。这项研究的成果包括识别黄土源区，知识的变化，古土壤在古气候制度，并确定与活动的科迪勒拉冰盖的大洪水事件。华盛顿的帕卢塞黄土序列包含了美国第四纪古气候历史的最完整记录。该地区也具有重要的实际意义，正在考虑建立核废料储存库。详细的地层学对国家来说至关重要。

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.