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WR-14 OSL sample site in relation to three potential paleoliquefaction dikes

Detailed Description

A paleoliquefaction sand dike in riverbank sediment along the Nottoway River in southeastern Virginia (the dike is the light-colored vertical feature between the shovel and the end of the sample tube). Such sand dikes may be the result of strong earthquakes.  We collected sediment in the tube for optically stimulated luminescence dating (conducted by the USGS Luminescence Lab in Denver), which tells us the last time quartz grains in the sediment were exposed to sunlight.  Results indicated that the sand dike intruded within the last 9,000 years, indicating an earthquake may have struck this area in the recent geologic past.

Sources/Usage

Public Domain.

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