Characterization of alluvial sources in the Owens Valley of eastern California using Fourier shape analysis

Journal Article · Mon Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1982 · J. Sediment. Petrol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5980752

Wagoner, J L; Younker, J L

Two-dimensional quartz grain shape was used to characterize sand grains from different source areas in the Owens Valley of eastern California. Combining a mathematical description of the grain outline and multivariate discriminant analysis, we have shown that quartz from clastic source rocks has a distinctive imprint when compared to samples from granitic, volcanic, or mixed fluvial source areas. Alternatively, quartz provided by a granitic source could equally well have been interpreted as if it were derived from any of the other sources considered. This study provides a standard of comparison for further analysis of sediment deposited in arid alluvial environments.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5980752
• Journal Information: J. Sediment. Petrol.; (United States), Vol. 52:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
ALLUVIAL DEPOSITS
CLASSIFICATION
FOURIER ANALYSIS
CALIFORNIA
QUARTZ
SEDIMENTS
CHALCOGENIDES
FEDERAL REGION IX
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MINERALS
NORTH AMERICA
OXIDE MINERALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
USA
580300* - Mineralogy
Petrology
& Rock Mechanics- (-1989)