Aeolian sediments in paleowetland deposits of the Las Vegas Formation
The Las Vegas Formation (LVF) is a well-characterized sequence of groundwater discharge (GWD) deposits exposed in and around the Las Vegas Valley in southern Nevada. Nearly monolithologic bedrock surrounds the valley, which provides an excellent opportunity to test the hypothesis that GWD deposits include an aeolian component. Mineralogical data indicate that the LVF sediments are dominated by carbonate minerals, similar to the local bedrock, but silicate minerals are also present. The median particle size is ~35 μm, consistent with modern dust in the region, and magnetic properties contrast strongly with local bedrock, implying an extralocal origin. By combining geochemical data from the LVF sediments and modern dust, we found that an average of ~25% of the LVF deposits were introduced by aeolian processes. The remainder consists primarily of authigenic groundwater carbonate as well as minor amounts of alluvial material and soil carbonate. Our data also show that the aeolian sediments accumulated in spring ecosystems in the Las Vegas Valley in a manner that was independent of both time and the specific hydrologic environment. These results have broad implications for investigations of GWD deposits located elsewhere in the southwestern U.S. and worldwide.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2021 |
|---|---|
| Title | Aeolian sediments in paleowetland deposits of the Las Vegas Formation |
| DOI | 10.1017/qua.2021.14 |
| Authors | Harland L. Goldstein, Kathleen B. Springer, Jeffrey S. Pigati, Marith C. Reheis, Gary L. Skipp |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | Quaternary Research |
| Index ID | 70221150 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center |
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Supporting data for Physical and chemical evidence for an aeolian component of paleowetland deposits
Harland Goldstein
Deputy Center Director
Kathleen Springer
Research Geologist
Jeff Pigati
Research Geologist
Marith Reheis
Scientist Emeritus
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- Data
Supporting data for Physical and chemical evidence for an aeolian component of paleowetland deposits
The Las Vegas Formation (LVF) is a well-characterized sequence of groundwater discharge (GWD) deposits exposed in and around the Las Vegas Valley in southern Nevada. Nearly monolithologic bedrock surrounds the valley and provides an excellent opportunity to test the hypothesis that GWD deposits include an aeolian component. Mineralogical data indicate that the LVF sediments are dominated by carbon - Connect
Harland Goldstein
Deputy Center DirectorEmailPhoneKathleen Springer
Research GeologistEmailJeff Pigati
Research GeologistEmailPhoneMarith Reheis
Scientist EmeritusEmailPhone