Metadata:
Identification_Information:
Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Robert S. Thompson
Originator: C.G. Oviatt
Originator: A.P. Roberts
Originator: J. Buchner
Originator: R. Kelsey
Originator: C. Bracht
Originator: R.M. Forester
Originator: J.P. Bradbury
Publication_Date: 1995
Title:
Stratigraphy, Sedimentology, Paleontology, and Paleomagnetism of
Pliocene-Early Pleistocene Lacustrine Deposits in Two Cores from
Western Utah
Series_Information:
Series_Name: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report
Issue_Identification: 95-1
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Denver, CO
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey
Online_Linkage:
Edition: 1
Description:
Abstract:
The data contained in this report represent our preliminary findings
of the analyses of two cores of Pliocene and early Pleistocene
sediments from the eastern Great Basin. This is a collaborative
project involving specialists from the USGS, Kansas State University,
and the University of California-Davis in paleontology (Thompson,
Buchner, Forester, Bradbury), stratigraphy and sedimentology (Oviatt,
Kelsey, Bracht), and paleomagnetism and environmental magnetism
(Roberts).
Purpose:
We are investigating the paleoclimatic history of western Utah as part of the USGS Global
Change and Climate History Program studies of long-term climatic changes in the western
United States. Our initial objective is to document the environmental conditions during
the mid-Pliocene period of warmer-than-modern global climates (the focus of the USGS
Pliocene Research, Interpretation, and Synoptic Mapping [PRISM] project). We also seek to
determine how and when these conditions gave way to the late Quaternary pattern of climatic
variations (in which short periods of very moist climates have been separated by long
periods of arid conditions).
Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Geologic_Age:
Geologic_Age:
Geologic_Time_Scale: Chronostratigraphic
Geologic_Age_Estimate: post-Miocene
Geologic_Age_Explanation:
Gravels occur at the depth of 420 to 470 ft. in the Pit
of Death core. Tephrochronology indicates a Miocene age
for the lacustrine sequence below the gravels but the
zone cannot be correlated to the geomagnetic polarity
timescale, therefore, a more precise age cannot be
assigned to the the lowermost part of the core.
Ending_Geologic_Age:
Geologic_Age:
Geologic_Time_Scale: Geomagnetic polarity
Geologic_Age_Estimate: lowermost Brunhes chron
Geologic_Age_Explanation:
The paleomagnetic study of the Black Rock Core shows that
normal polarity directions are obtained from the
lacustrine record immediately below the Black Rock
basalt. Bishop ash (0.759 Ma) is known to be preserved
in silts above the Black Rock basalt. Therefore this
represents the lowermost Brunhes Chron (<0.78 Ma).
Currentness_Reference: ground condition
Status:
Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: As needed
Spatial_Domain:
Bounding_Coordinates:
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -113.217
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -112.950
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 39.035
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 38.715
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: none
Theme_Keyword: Paleoclimate
Theme_Keyword: Paleontology
Theme_Keyword: Stratigraphy
Theme_Keyword: Sedimentology
Theme_Keyword: Paleomagnetism
Theme_Keyword: Vegetation
Theme_Keyword: Precipitation
Theme_Keyword: Sediment
Theme_Keyword: Palynology
Theme_Keyword: Ostracode
Theme_Keyword: Diatom
Theme_Keyword: Pollen
Theme_Keyword: Petrology
Theme_Keyword: Lacustrine
Theme_Keyword: Carbonate
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: none
Place_Keyword: western United States
Place_Keyword: Utah
Place_Keyword: UT
Place_Keyword: Black Rock
Place_Keyword: Sevier Lake
Place_Keyword: Beaver River
Place_Keyword: Pit of Death
Stratum:
Stratum_Keyword_Thesaurus: none
Stratum_Keyword: Bishop Ash
Stratum_Keyword: Black Rock Basalt
Stratum_Keyword: Lava Creek B tephra
Temporal:
Temporal_Keyword_Thesaurus: none
Temporal_Keyword: Holocene
Temporal_Keyword: Pleistocene
Temporal_Keyword: Pliocene
Temporal_Keyword: Brunhes
Temporal_Keyword: Matuyama
Temporal_Keyword: Gauss
Temporal_Keyword: Jaramillo
Temporal_Keyword: Cobb Mountain
Temporal_Keyword: Olduvai
Temporal_Keyword: Reunion
Temporal_Keyword: Kaena
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: National Geologic Map Database Catalog themes, augmented
Theme_Keyword: 1700 - Paleontology
Theme_Keyword: 1800 - Paleobotany
Theme_Keyword: 1900 - Geochemistry
Theme_Keyword: 1600 - Geochronology
Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints: None
Point_of_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Robert S. Thompson
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Position: Geologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing address
Address:
U.S. Geological Survey
Box 25046, Mail Stop 919
Denver Federal Center
City: Denver
State_or_Province: CO
Postal_Code: 80225
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 303-236-5347
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 303-236-5349
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: rthompson@usgs.gov
Browse_Graphic:
Browse_Graphic_File_Name:
Browse_Graphic_File_Description:
Locations of sites discussed in text. The shaded areas represent elevations above 6000
ft (1829 m). Woodland and forest vegetation generally occurs above this elevation,
steppe and desert below.
Browse_Graphic_File_Type: GIF
Browse_Graphic:
Browse_Graphic_File_Name:
Browse_Graphic_File_Description:
Black Rock core stratigraphy plotted against the magnetostratigraphy, macrofossil
occurrences, and magnetic susceptibility. BR = Brunhes, J = Jaramillo, C = Cobb
Mountain, O = Olduvai, R = Reunion, X = Anomaly X, K = Kaena.
Browse_Graphic_File_Type: GIF
Browse_Graphic:
Browse_Graphic_File_Name:
Browse_Graphic_File_Description: Pit of Death Stratigraphy. Br = Brunhes, J = Jaramillo, O = Olduvai, R = Réunion, X = Anomaly X.
Browse_Graphic_File_Type: GIF
Browse_Graphic:
Browse_Graphic_File_Name:
Browse_Graphic_File_Description: Comparison of Black Rock and Pit of Death chronologies.
Browse_Graphic_File_Type: GIF
Data_Set_Credit:
This report is the preliminary result of a collaborative project
involving specialists from the USGS, Kansas State University, and the
University of California-Davis in paleontology (Robert S. Thompson,
Jennifer Rose Buchner, R.M. Forester, J.P. Bradbury), stratigraphy and
sedimentology (Charles G. Oviatt, Rachel Kelsey, Christopher Bracht),
and paleomagnetism and environmental magnetism (Andrew P. Roberts).
Security_Information:
Security_Classification_System: None
Security_Classification: Unclassified
Security_Handling_Description: none
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Robert S. Thompson
Publication_Date: 1995
Publication_Time: Unknown
Title:
Stratigraphy, Sedimentology, Paleontology, and Paleomagnetism of Pliocene-Early
Pleistocene Lacustrine Deposits in Two Cores from Western Utah
Edition: 1
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: diagram
Series_Information:
Series_Name: U.S. Geological Survey Open-file Report Series
Issue_Identification: 95-1
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Denver, CO, USA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey
Online_Linkage:
Data_Quality_Information:
Attribute_Accuracy:
Attribute_Accuracy_Report:
Accuracy of measurements and processes is discussed in detail in the
"Materials and Methods" section of the report.
Logical_Consistency_Report:
Coring equipment and original logs record core depths for both cores in
the English units of "decimal feet". The depths recorded in the Metric
units of "meters" were calculated from the English measurements.
Both alternating-field and thermal methods were used for
demagnetization of paleomagnetic samples. When the thermal method was
used, magnetic susceptibility was measured at each demagnetization
step to monitor for thermal alteration.
Completeness_Report:
Core Collection
Black Rock Core
Approximately 8 ft (2.4 m) of tan silt overlies 17 ft (5.2 m) of
basalt at the Black Rock site. The coring process did not recover any
of the silt or basalt (although some of the silt was recovered in
Shelby tubes), nor was it possible to recover the uppermost few feet
of sediment underlying the basalt. Core recovery began at 25.25 ft
(7.7 m) and extended down to 896.83 ft (273.35 m). As shown in
Appendix 1, core recovery was excellent throughout most of this depth
range.
Pit of Death Core
The only unrecovered section of significant thickness in the Pit of
Death core is near the bottom. Pebbly mud in the interval between
428 and 431 ft overlies an interval of about 40 ft of sand and
gravel, from which no core was recovered. From 472 ft to the base
of the core at 512 ft, is a sequence of moderately cemented, poorly
sorted, tuffaceous sand.
Palynological Analysis
Of the 159 samples processed from the Black Rock site, 142 contained
sufficient pollen for analysis. Ten samples were processed from the
Pit of Death core, and all were barren of pollen.
Plant Macrofossil Analysis
The occurrences of these plant macrofossils has been recorded during the sediment
descriptions and by examination of slides prepared for ostracode analysis.
Ostracode Analysis
Approximately 920 samples have been prepared from the Black Rock
core, and 10 from the Pit of Death Core.
Diatom Analysis
Twenty-four samples have been analyzed from the Black Rock core and
10 from the Pit of Death core.
Positional_Accuracy:
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:
The horizontal coordinates of the drilling sites are given in degrees,
minutes and seconds of latitude and longitude. A second of longitude
at 39 degrees latitude is approximately 19.45 meters. A second of
latitude is approximately 30.92 meters. This suggests that the
longitude of the sites is known to within 19.45 meters and the
latitude of the sites is known to within 30.92 meters.
Vertical_Positional_Accuracy:
Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report:
The elevation of the Black Rock site is given as 4930 feet and the
elevation of the Pit of Death site is given as 4535 feet. This
suggests that the measurements are accurate to within 5 vertical feet.
Core logs (Appendix 1, Appendix 4) indicate that the drilling
machinery indicated drilling depth in increments of 1/100th of a foot.
Lineage:
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Billings, W.D.
Publication_Date: 1949
Publication_Time: Unknown
Title:
The shadscale vegetation zone of Nevada and eastern California in
relation to climate and soils
Series_Information:
Series_Name: American Midland Naturalist
Issue_Identification: v. 42, p. 87-109
Type_of_Source_Media: paper
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Billings (1949)
Source_Contribution: Ecology of shadescale vegetation
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date: 1949
Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Cande, S.C.
Originator: Kent, D.V
Publication_Date: 1992
Title:
A new geomagnetic polarity time scale for the Late Cretaceous and
Cenozoic
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Journal of Geophysical Research
Issue_Identification: v. 97, p. 13, 917-13,951
Type_of_Source_Media: paper
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Cande and Kent (1992)
Source_Contribution: Paleomagnetic framework
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: cc82000000
Ending_Date: Present
Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Canfield, D.E.
Originator: Berner, R.A.
Publication_Date: 1987
Title: Dissolution and pyritization of magnetite in anoxic marine sediments
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Issue_Identification: v. 51, p. 645-659.
Type_of_Source_Media: paper
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Canfield and Berner (1987)
Source_Contribution: Chemistry of magnetic minerals in reducing environments.
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: cc4500000000
Ending_Date: Present
Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Condie, K.C.
Originator: Barsky, C.K.
Publication_Date: 1972
Title:
Origin of the Quaternary basalts from the Black Rock Desert region,
Utah
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Geological Society of America Bulletin
Issue_Identification: v. 83, p. 333-352.
Type_of_Source_Media: paper
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Condie and Barsky (1972)
Source_Contribution: K-Ar dates on the Black Rock basalt
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: cc1900000
Ending_Date: Present
Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Crecraft, H. R.
Originator: Nash, W. P.
Originator: Evans, S. H., Jr.
Publication_Date: 1981
Title: Late Cenozoic volcanism at Twin Peaks, Utah - Geology and petrology
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Journal of Geophysical Research
Issue_Identification: v. 86: p. 10,303-10,320
Type_of_Source_Media: paper
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Crecraft, Nash and Evans (1981)
Source_Contribution:
K-Ar dates on Black Rock Basalt
Paleotectonic framework
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: cc24600000
Ending_Date: Present
Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Cui, Y.
Originator: Roberts, A.P
Originator: Verosub, K.L.
Originator: Thompson, R.S.
Originator: Oviatt, C.G.
Publication_Date: 1994
Title:
A Study of the Matuyama-Brunhes Geomagnetic Polarity Transition From
Sevier Lake, Utah [abs.]
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Eos
Issue_Identification: v. 75, p. 194-195
Type_of_Source_Media: paper
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Cui et al. (1994)
Source_Contribution: Magnetostratigraphy
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date: cc780000
Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Davis, O.K.
Publication_Date: 1984
Title:
Pollen frequencies reflect vegetation patterns in a Great Basin
(U.S.A.) mountain range
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology
Issue_Identification: v. 40, p. 295-315.
Type_of_Source_Media: paper
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Davis (1984)
Source_Contribution: Regional studies of modern pollen rain
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date: Present
Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Davis, O.K.
Publication_Date: 1993
Title:
Preliminary pollen analysis of Neogene sediment of the Great Salt
Lake, U.S.A [abs]
Series_Information:
Series_Name: American Association of Stratigraphic Palynologists, Inc., Program and Abstracts
Issue_Identification: 1993 Annual Meeting, Baton Rouge, LA, p. 20.
Type_of_Source_Media: paper
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Davis (1993)
Source_Contribution: Palynological data from Indian Cove, Great Salt Lake
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: cc24600000
Ending_Date: cc1900000
Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: DeMenocal, P.B.
Originator: Ruddiman, W.F.
Originator: Kent, D.V.
Publication_Date: 1990
Title:
Depth of post-depositional remanence acquisition in deep-sea
sediments: a case study of the Brunhes-Matuyama reversal and oxygen
isotope stage 19.1
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Earth and Planetary Sciences Letters
Issue_Identification: v. 99, p. 1-13
Type_of_Source_Media: paper
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: DeMenocal, Ruddiman and Kent (1990)
Source_Contribution: Magnetic remanence acquisition in sediments.
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date: cc780000
Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Eardley, A.J.
Originator: Shuey, R.T.
Originator: Gvosdetsky, V.
Originator: Nash, W.P.
Originator: Picard, M.D.
Originator: Grey, D.C.
Originator: Kukla, G.J.
Publication_Date: 1973
Title: Lake cycles in the Bonneville Basin, Utah
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Geological Society of America Bulletin
Issue_Identification: v. 84, p. 211-216
Type_of_Source_Media: paper
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Eardley, et al (1973)
Source_Contribution: Climatological interpretation of correlative cores
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: cc3000000
Ending_Date: Present
Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Machette, M. N.
Publication_Date: 1985
Title: Late Cenozoic geology of the Beaver basin, southwestern Utah
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Brigham Young University Geology Studies
Issue_Identification: v. 32, pt. 1, p. 19-37.
Type_of_Source_Media: paper
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Machette (1985)
Source_Contribution:
Paleohydrology of the Beaver River and the Sevier River drainage
systems.
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: cc24600000
Ending_Date: Present
Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Oviatt, C. G.
Publication_Date: 1991
Title: Quaternary geology of the Black Rock Desert, Millard County, Utah
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Utah Geological and Mineral Survey Special Studies
Issue_Identification: 73, 23 p.
Type_of_Source_Media: paper
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Oviatt (1991)
Source_Contribution: Paleotectonic framework
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: cc1900000
Ending_Date: Present
Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Oviatt, C. G.
Publication_Date: 1992
Title: Quaternary geology of the Scipio Valley area, Millard and Juab Counties, Utah
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Utah Geological Survey Special Study
Issue_Identification: no. 79, 16 p.
Type_of_Source_Media: paper
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Oviatt (1992)
Source_Contribution: Depositional history of the Sevier River drainage
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: cc1900000
Ending_Date: Present
Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Oviatt, C. G.
Publication_Date: 1994
Title: Review of the Quaternary geology of the Sevier and Black Rock Deserts
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Utah Geological Association Publication
Issue_Identification: v. 23, p. 97-103.
Type_of_Source_Media: paper
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Oviatt (1994)
Source_Contribution: Stratigraphic framework
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: cc1900000
Ending_Date: Present
Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Roberts, A.P.
Originator: Turner, G.M.
Publication_Date: 1993
Title:
Diagenetic formation of ferrimagnetic iron sulphide minerals in
rapidly deposited marine sediments.
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Issue_Identification: v. 115, p. 257-273.
Type_of_Source_Media: paper
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Roberts and Turner (1993)
Source_Contribution: Chemistry of magnetic minerals in reducing environments.
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date: Unknown
Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Thompson, Robert S.
Publication_Date: 1991
Title: Pliocene environments and climates in the western United States
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Quaternary Science Reviews
Issue_Identification: v. 10, p. 115-132.
Type_of_Source_Media: paper
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Thompson (1991)
Source_Contribution: Climatological interpretation of the Pliocene pollen record
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: cc5100000
Ending_Date: cc1900000
Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Thompson, R.S.
Publication_Date: 1996
Title:
Pliocene and early Pleistocene environments and climates of the
western Snake River Plain, Idaho
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Marine Micropaleontology
Issue_Identification: 1996
Type_of_Source_Media: paper
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Thompson (in press)
Source_Contribution: Late Gauss Chron pollen data from southern Idaho
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: cc5100000
Ending_Date: cc1000000
Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Vance, R.E.
Originator: Mathewes, R.W.
Publication_Date: 1994
Title:
Deposition of modern pollen and plant macrofossils in a hypersaline
prairie lake basin
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Canadian Journal of Botany
Issue_Identification: v. 72, p. 539-548.
Type_of_Source_Media: paper
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Vance and Mathewes (1994)
Source_Contribution: Palynological framework
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date: Unknown
Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Verosub, K.L.
Originator: Roberts, A.P.
Publication_Date: 1996
Title: Environmental magnetism: past, present, and future
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Journal of Geophysical Research
Issue_Identification: in press
Type_of_Source_Media: paper
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Verosub and Roberts (in press)
Source_Contribution: Magnetostratigraphic correlation of lake-catchment sediments.
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date: Unknown
Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Williams, S.K.
Publication_Date: 1994
Title:
Late Cenozoic tephrostratigraphy of deep sediment cores from the
Bonneville Basin, northwest Utah
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Geological Society of America Bulletin
Issue_Identification: v. 105, p. 1517-1530.
Type_of_Source_Media: paper
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Williams (1994)
Source_Contribution: Climatological interpretation of correlative core material
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: cc24600000
Ending_Date: Present
Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Core collection and curation. The Black Rock and Pit of Death
sediment cores were drilled in July, August, and September of 1993 with
a Portadrill 524-3A rotary drilling rig that took a 3" (7.62 cm)
diameter core. The cores are archived at the USGS Core Repository on
the Denver Federal Center. The coring equipment and original records
are in English units, and to maintain continuity with those records,
core depths are reported here in English units.
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: C. G. Oviatt
Contact_Organization: Department of Geology, Kansas State University
Contact_Position: Geologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing address
Address: Department of Geology, Kansas State University
City: Manhattan
State_or_Province: Kansas
Postal_Code: 66506
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 913-532-6724
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: joviatt@ksuvm.ksu.edu
Process_Date: 19930930
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Ostracode Analysis. Sediment samples for ostracode analysis were
split into two fractions, a larger fraction for isotopic analysis of
ostracode shells (~15 g) and a smaller fraction for ostracode counts
(~5 g). The samples were subjected to a freeze/thaw process to
disaggregate clay particles and then washed with hot water over a 100
mm mesh screen. Approximately 920 samples have been prepared from the
Black Rock core, and 10 from the Pit of Death Core.
Process_Date: Unknown
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: R.M. Forester
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing address
Address:
U.S. Geological Survey
Mail Stop 919
Box 25046
Denver Federal Center
City: Denver
State_or_Province: Colorado
Postal_Code: 80225-0046
Contact_Voice_Telephone: (303) 236-5656
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: forester@usgs.gov
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Stratigraphy and sedimentology. Core sediments were logged in the
field, and the stratigraphy and sedimentology was studied in greater
detail in the laboratory by Oviatt and Kelsey (Black Rock) and Oviatt
and Bracht (Pit of Death). These researchers have analyzed samples for
carbonate, sand, and mud contents at approximately one-foot (30 cm)
intervals throughout both cores. X-ray analysis is on-going for
carbonate minerals from representative samples from both cores.
Process_Date: Unknown
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: C. G. Oviatt
Contact_Organization: Department of Geology, Kansas State University
Contact_Position: Geologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing address
Address: Department of Geology, Kansas State University
City: Manhattan
State_or_Province: Kansas
Postal_Code: 66506
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 913-532-6724
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: joviatt@ksuvm.ksu.edu
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Paleomagnetic Analysis. Oriented paleomagnetic samples were taken by
carving pedestals into the cores and slipping plastic boxes (2.5 x 2.5
x 1.5 cm) over the pedestals. In general, samples were collected at 1
m (3.3 ft) intervals throughout the length of both cores.For
paleomagnetic studies, 307 and 139 samples were analyzed from the
Black Rock and Pit of Death cores respectively. The samples were
stepwise demagnetized by either alternating field (AF) or thermal
methods. AF demagnetization was generally carried out at successive
peak fields of 0, 10, 20, 25, 40, and 60 mT, and in some cases,
additional intermediate steps were included at peak fields of 5, 15,
30, and 50 mT. Thermal demagnetization was carried out at successive
steps of 20, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, and
600 degrees C. Magnetic susceptibility was measured at each thermal
demagnetization level to monitor for thermal alteration. Remanence
measurements were made on a 2G Enterprises cryogenic magnetometer. AF
demagnetization was carried out with a Schonstedt AF demagnetizer and
thermal demagnetization was carried out with a Schonstedt thermal
demagnetizing unit. Magnetic susceptibility was measured with a
Bartington Instruments magnetic susceptibility meter.
Characteristic remanence directions were determined from stably
magnetized samples by linear regression fits to the demagnetization
data. Three types of demagnetization behavior are evident and are
designated as types A, B, and C. Type A behavior is displayed by
demagnetization data that decay to the origin of vector component
plots with little deviation from linearity (Figure 2a, d). Type B
behavior is displayed by samples that yield more scattered
demagnetization data, nevertheless, the direction of magnetization can
be unambiguously determined (Figure 2b, e). Type C behavior is
displayed by samples for which no stable direction of remanence, or
even an indication of polarity, can be determined (Figure 2c, f). In
general, the data quality from the Pit of Death core are of
substantially higher quality than those from the Black Rock core. Of
the 139 samples analyzed from the Pit of Death core, 81%, 16%, and 3%
of the samples displayed behavior of types A, B, and C, respectively.
Of the 307 samples analyzed from the Black Rock core, 17%, 54%, and
29% of the samples displayed behavior of types A, B, and
C,respectively. The Black Rock and Pit of Death cores were azimuthally
unoriented. The paleomagnetic polarity was therefore determined solely
from inclination data. All ages of paleomagnetic datums follow those
of Cande and Kent (1992).
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Andrew P. Roberts
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing address
Address:
Department of Geology
University of California
City: Davis, CA 95616
State_or_Province: California
Postal_Code: 95616
Country: United States of America
Contact_Voice_Telephone: (916) 752-1861
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: Roberts@geology.ucdavis.edu
Process_Date: Unknown
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Magnetic susceptibility. The magnetic susceptibility of the Black
Rock and Pit of Death core sediments was measured by analyzing
selected depth intervals with a Sapphire whole-core pass-through
susceptometer. For susceptibility studies, 766 levels were measured
from the Black Rock core and 411 from the Pit of Death core.
Process_Date: Unknown
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Andrew P. Roberts
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing address
Address:
Department of Geology
University of California
City: Davis, CA 95616
State_or_Province: California
Postal_Code: 95616
Contact_Voice_Telephone: (916) 752-1861
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: Roberts@geology.ucdavis.edu
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Palynological Analysis. Sediment samples from the Black Rock and
Pit of Death cores were processed with chemical reagents (HCl, HF,
heavy liquids) to remove unwanted mineral materials. The sample
residues were analyzed under 400X to 1000X magnification, and a
minimum of 300 terrestrial pollen grains were counted from each
sample (except for samples above ~150 ft in the Black Rock core,
where pollen concentrations were so low that only 200 grain counts
were possible). Of the 159 samples processed from the Black Rock
site, 142 contained sufficient pollen for analysis. Ten samples
were processed from the Pit of Death core, and all were barren of
pollen.
Process_Date: Unknown
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Robert S. Thompson
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing address
Address:
U.S. Geological Survey
Box 25046, Mail Stop 919
Denver Federal Center
City: Denver
State_or_Province: Colorado
Postal_Code: 80225
Contact_Voice_Telephone: (303) 236-0439
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (303) 236-5690
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: rthompson@usgs.gov
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Diatom Analysis. Preliminary analysis of diatoms from the two cores
were conducted using water mounts of unprocessed sediment smears.
Twenty-four samples have been analyzed from the Black Rock core and 10
from the Pit of Death core.
Process_Date: Unknown
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: J.P. Bradbury
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing address
Address:
U.S. Geological Survey
Mail Stop 919
Box 25046
Denver Federal Center
City: Denver
State_or_Province: Colorado
Postal_Code: 80225-0046
Contact_Voice_Telephone: (303) 236-5666
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: jbradbur@usgs.gov
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Plant macrofossil Analysis. Seeds and leaf fragments and Ruppia and
other plants are present throughout most of the Black Rock core. The
occurrences of these plant macrofossils have been recorded during the
sediment descriptions and by examination of slides prepared for
ostracode analysis.
Process_Date: Unknown
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Robert S. Thompson
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing address
Address:
U.S. Geological Survey
Box 25046, Mail Stop 919
Denver Federal Center
City: Denver
State_or_Province: Colorado
Postal_Code: 80225
Contact_Voice_Telephone: (303) 236-0439
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (303) 236-5690
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: rthompson@usgs.gov
Spatial_Reference_Information:
Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:
Geographic:
Latitude_Resolution: 1
Longitude_Resolution: 1
Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Degrees, minutes, and decimal seconds
Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition:
Altitude_System_Definition:
Altitude_Datum_Name: North American Vertical Datum of 1988
Altitude_Resolution: 1
Altitude_Distance_Units: feet
Altitude_Encoding_Method: Explicit elevation coordinate included with horizontal coordinates
Depth_System_Definition:
Depth_Datum_Name: Local surface
Depth_Resolution: 0.01
Depth_Distance_Units: feet
Depth_Encoding_Method: Explicit depth coordinate included with horizontal coordinates
Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
Detailed_Description:
Entity_Type:
Entity_Type_Label: Paleomagnetic sample
Entity_Type_Definition:
Oriented paleomagnetic samples are 2.5 x 2.5 x 1.5 cm. and were
collected at 1 meter, (3.3 feet) intervals in both of the studied cores
Entity_Type_Definition_Source: none
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: Paleomagnetic Inclination
Attribute_Definition:
Angle at which magnetic field lines dip, measured in degrees from the
horizontal.
Attribute_Definition_Source: American Geological Institute Glossary of Geology
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 90
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Decimal degrees
Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 0.1
Attribute_Measurement_Frequency: None planned
Overview_Description:
Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
Black Rock Core Log. Lithologic description containing information
on grain size, color, bedding structures, sedimentary structures
and occurance of plant-macrofossils.
/of95-001/8-append/apx1.tab 1 Depth (feet)
/of95-001/8-append/apx1.tab 2 Depth (meters)
/of95-001/8-append/apx1.tab 3 Grain size description
/of95-001/8-append/apx1.tab 4 Color of material
/of95-001/8-append/apx1.tab 5 Bedding / sedimentary structures
/of95-001/8-append/apx1.tab 6 Miscellaneous notes
Black Rock Core Paleomagnetic Data. Paleomagnetic inclination
measured by either Alternating Field demagnetization method or
thermal demagnetization method.
/of95-001/8-append/apx2.tab 1 Sample Label
/of95-001/8-append/apx2.tab 2 Depth of sample (feet)
/of95-001/8-append/apx2.tab 3 Depth of sample (meters)
/of95-001/8-append/apx2.tab 4 Declination (degrees)
/of95-001/8-append/apx2.tab 5 Inclination (degrees)
/of95-001/8-append/apx2.tab 6 Delta (degrees)
/of95-001/8-append/apx2.tab 7 Intensity
/of95-001/8-append/apx2.tab 8 Polarity (Reversed/Not Reversed)
/of95-001/8-append/apx2.tab 9 Method of Demagnetization (Thermal/Alternating Field)
Black Rock Core Pollen Data. Counts of 57 pollen taxa from 159 samples
from the Black Rock core.
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 1 Depth (feet)
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 2 Sum Terrestrial Pollen Sum
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 3 Abies Abies count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 4 Junip. Juniperus-type count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 5 Picea Picea count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 6 Pinus Pinus count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 7 Ps./La. Pseudotsuga/Larix count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 8 Ts.he. Tsuga heterophylla count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 9 Ve.un. Vesiculate conifer undif. count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 10 Ep.tr. Ephedra trifurca-type count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 11 Ep.vi. Ephedra viridis-type
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 12 Acer Acer count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 13 Alnus Alnus count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 14 Arce. Arceuthobium count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 15 Betula Betula count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 16 Celtis Celtis count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 17 Cerc. Cercocarpus-type count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 18 Frax. Fraxinus count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 19 Frem. Fremontodendron? count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 20 Holo. Holodiscus-type count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 21 Popu. Populus count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 22 Pote. Potentilla count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 23 Pter. Pterocarya? count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 24 Quer. Quercus count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 25 Rham. Rhamnaceae count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 26 Rosa. Rosaceae count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 27 Salix Salix count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 28 Sh./E. Shepherdia/Elaegnus count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 29 Symp. Symphoricarpos/Lonicera count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 30 Ulmus Ulmus count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 31 Ambr. Ambrosia-type count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 32 Arte. Artemisia count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 33 Tubu. Tubuliflorae count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 34 Ligu. Liguliflorae count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 35 Ch.Am. Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthus count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 36 Sarc. Sarcobatus count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 37 Poac. Poaceae count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 38 Apia. Apiaceae count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 39 Bras. Brassicaceae count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 40 Cary. Caryophyllaceae count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 41 Erio. Eriogonum count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 42 Euph. Euphorbiaceae count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 43 Faba. Fabaceae count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 44 Gili. Gilia-type count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 45 Onag. Onagraceae count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 46 Phlox Phlox count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 47 Pole. Polemonium count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 48 Poly. Polygonaceae count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 49 Sola. Solanaceae count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 50 Thal. Thalictrum count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 51 Unkn. Unknown count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 52 Inde. Indeterminate count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 53 Mono. Monlete spores count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 54 Tril. Trilete spores count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 55 Cype. Cyperaceae count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 56 Myri. Myriophyllum count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 57 Ty.Sp. Typha/Sparganium count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 58 Pota. Potamogeton count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 59 Rupp. Ruppia count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 60 Botr. Botryococcus count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 61 Pedi. Pediastrum count
/of95-001/8-append/apx3.tab 62 Tracers Tracers count
Pit of Death Core Log. Lithologic description of the Pit of Death Core
containing information on grain size, color, bedding structures,
sedimentary structures and occurance of plant-macrofossils.
/of95-001/8-append/apx4.tab 1 Depth (feet)
/of95-001/8-append/apx4.tab 2 Depth (meters)
/of95-001/8-append/apx4.tab 3 Grain size description
/of95-001/8-append/apx4.tab 4 Color of material
/of95-001/8-append/apx4.tab 5 Nature of boundary
/of95-001/8-append/apx4.tab 6 Bedding / sedimentary structures
/of95-001/8-append/apx4.tab 7 Miscellaneous notes
Pit of Death Core Paleomagnetic Data. Paleomagnetic inclination measured by either Alternating Field
demagnetization method or thermal demagnetization method.
/of95-001/8-append/apx5.tab 1 Sample Label
/of95-001/8-append/apx5.tab 2 Depth of sample (feet)
/of95-001/8-append/apx5.tab 3 Depth of sample (meters)
/of95-001/8-append/apx5.tab 4 Declination (degrees)
/of95-001/8-append/apx5.tab 5 Inclination (degrees)
/of95-001/8-append/apx5.tab 6 Delta (degrees)
/of95-001/8-append/apx5.tab 7 Intensity
/of95-001/8-append/apx5.tab 8 Polarity (Reversed/Not Reversed)
/of95-001/8-append/apx5.tab 9 Method of Demagnetization (Thermal/Alternating Field)
/of95-001/2-material/fig2.ps
Vector component diagrams indicating representative
demagnetizationbehavior of paleomagnetic samples.
/of95-001/3-black_rock/fig3.gif
/of95-001/3-black_rock/fig3.ps
Diagram showing paleomagnetic interpretation, lithology, occurance
of seeds, occurance of root traces, occurance of leaf impressions
and magnetic susceptibility in the Black Rock core.
/of95-001/3-black_rock/fig4.gif
/of95-001/3-black_rock/fig4.ps
Diagram showing the paleomagnetic inclination record of the
Black Rock core.
/of95-001/3-black_rock/fig5.gif
/of95-001/3-black_rock/fig5.ps
Diagram showing age vs. depth relationship based on paleomagnetics
and tephrochronology in the Black Rock Core.
/of95-001/3-black_rock/fig6.gif
/of95-001/3-black_rock/fig6.ps
Diagram showing paleomagnetic record and pollen percentages of 15
taxa in the Black Rock core.
/of95-001/3-black_rock/fig7.gif
/of95-001/3-black_rock/fig7.ps
Diagram showing paleomagnetic record and pollen summary diagram of
Conifers vs. Steppe plants vs. Other taxa. vs aquatic pollen types
occuring in the Black Rock Core
/of95-001/3-black_rock/fig8.gif
/of95-001/3-black_rock/fig8.ps
Diagram of Three-level moving averages of conifer and steppe pollen
from the Black Rock Core vs. time.
/of95-001/4-pit_of_death/fig9.gif
/of95-001/4-pit_of_death/fig9.ps
Diagram showing paleomagnetic interpretation, lithology, occurance
of mud cracks and magnetic susceptibility in the Pit of Death core.
/of95-001/4-pit_of_death/fig10.gif
/of95-001/4-pit_of_death/fig10.ps
Diagram showing the paleomagnetic inclination record of the Pit of
Death core.
/of95-001/4-pit_of_death/fig11.gif
/of95-001/4-pit_of_death/fig11.ps
Diagram showing age vs. depth relationship based on paleomagnetics
and tephrochronology in the Pit of Death Core.
/of95-001/5-discussion/fig12.gif
/of95-001/5-discussion/fig12.ps
Diagram comparing the magnetic susceptibiliy records of the Black
Rock and Pit of Death cores.
/of95-001/5-discussion/fig13.gif
/of95-001/5-discussion/fig13.ps
Diagram comparing the chronologies and depositional rates of the
Black Rock and Pit of Death cores.
/of95-001/5-discussion/fig14.gif
/of95-001/5-discussion/fig14.ps
Diagram comparing the lacustrine histories of Pliocene through Pleistocene
sites in western Utah.
Paleoenvironmental interpretations summarizing the analysis of
approximately 900 ostracode samples from the Black Rock core.
Summary of results of analysis of 10 ostracode samples from the Pit
of Death core.
Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: U. S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-1
Distribution_Information:
Distributor:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: USGS ESIC-Open-File Report Sales
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing address
Address:
Mail Stop 517
U.S. Geological Survey
Box 25286, Building 810
Denver Federal Center
City: Denver
State_or_Province: Colorado
Postal_Code: 80225-0286
Contact_Voice_Telephone: (303) 202-4210
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (303) 236-4031
Resource_Description: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-1
Distribution_Liability:
This report is preliminary and has not been reviewed for
conformity with U.S. Geological Survey editorial standards (or
with the North American Stratigraphic Code). Any use of trade,
product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does
not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Standard_Order_Process:
Non-digital_Form: The full data set is published in paper form.
Fees: See http://mapping.usgs.gov/esic/prices/index.html
Distributor:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Kevin M. Foley
Contact_Organization: Global Climate History Program, U.S. Geological Survey
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing address
Address:
Mail Stop 918
U.S. Geological Survey
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
City: Reston
State_or_Province: Virginia
Postal_Code: 20192
Contact_Voice_Telephone: (703) 648-5285
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (703) 648-6560
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: kfoley@usgs.gov
Resource_Description: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-1
Distribution_Liability:
This report is preliminary and has not been reviewed for
conformity with U.S. Geological Survey editorial standards (or
with the North American Stratigraphic Code). Any use of trade,
product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does
not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Standard_Order_Process:
Digital_Form:
Digital_Transfer_Information:
Format_Name: TEXT
Format_Information_Content:
The information is structured and formatted for retrieval using
WWW browsers.
Digital_Transfer_Option:
Online_Option:
Computer_Contact_Information:
Network_Address:
Network_Resource_Name:
Network_Resource_Name:
Online_Computer_and_Operating_System:
Data General AViiON 6220 system running DG/UX version 5.4R3.10
(UNIX)
Fees: none
Metadata_Reference_Information:
Metadata_Date: 19980930
Metadata_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Kevin M. Foley
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing address
Address:
Mail Stop 918
U.S. Geological Survey
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
City: Reston
State_or_Province: VA
Postal_Code: 20192
Contact_Voice_Telephone: (703) 648-5285
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (703) 648-6560
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: kfoley@usgs.gov
Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Metadata_Standard_Version: 19940608