A new method for estimating bedrock surface exposure ages and long-term erosion rates using a single in situ-produced cosmogenic radionuclide
- Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ (United States). Dept. of Geosciences
Numerous ambiguities, limitations and uncertainties in geomorphic research have resulted from a historical inability to reliably and quantitatively estimate (1) the age of exposure of a geomorphic surface, and (2) spatial variability of long-term erosion rates. Radioactive and stable nuclides produced in situ by cosmic ray bombardment of rock materials exposed at the earth's surface may enable one to estimate surface exposure ages and long-term erosion rates directly. Recent development of techniques for measuring and interpreting concentrations of these nuclides may ultimately help to resolve many long-standing geomorphic debates. Cosmogenic radionuclide pairs such as [sup 10]Be and [sup 26]Al have been used most frequently to solve the governing equations for both erosion rates and surface exposure ages. However, the applicability of these techniques to geomorphic problems has been limited to some extent by the number of assumptions which had to be made to interpret the measured concentrations -- particularly those pertaining to steady-state or non-steady-state erosion conditions. The authors are developing a new method for interpreting the depth distribution of a single cosmogenic radionuclide in bedrock which avoids the need for many of these assumptions. Monte Carlo techniques are used to explore the range of erosion rate and exposure age conditions on a grid which would produce theoretical depth distributions of the radionuclide consistent with the measured depth profile. They plan to present new cosmogenic [sup 14]C data to corroborate the model results. Although unanswered questions and potential problems remain, this method appears to hold great promise for unraveling spatial variation in both erosion rates and exposure ages of a wide range of bedrock surfaces.
- OSTI ID:
- 5097894
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9305259-; CODEN: GAAPBC
- Journal Information:
- Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States), Vol. 25:5; Conference: 89. annual meeting of the Cordilleran Section and the 46th annual meeting of the Rocky Mountain Section of the Geological Society of America (GSA), Reno, NV (United States), 19-21 May 1993; ISSN 0016-7592
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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