The luminescence dating potential of pebbles from pluvial lake beach deposits: Preliminary results from the Great Basin, USA.

Pluvial lake sediments are frequently luminescence dated using fine sand. Pebbles and cobbles, however, are much less susceptible to post-depositional reworking by wind, pedogenic processes and bioturbation, and thus have the potential to yield more accurate luminescence chronologies for pluvial lake highstands in the Great Basin. This presentation will provide an update on investigations into the dating potential of pebbles from pluvial lake beach ridges in Lincoln County, Nevada. By developing a luminescence protocol to date beach pebbles, we hope to improve upon previous age estimates from sand that severely underestimate the age of the ~16 ka pluvial Lake Coal highstand. In Coal Valley and neighboring valleys, the dominant pebble lithologies sampled include limestone and andesite. Each lithology presents a unique set of challenges regarding sample preparation and measurement; these will be discussed along with preliminary findings as well as proposed future avenues of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]