Climatic and hydrologic oscillations in the Owens Lake basin and adjacent Sierra Nevada, California

Journal Article · Fri Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.274.5288.746· OSTI ID:433213

Benson, L V ^[1]; Burdett, J W ^[2]; Phillips, F M ^[3]

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1. Geological Survey, Boulder, CO (United States)
2. Geological Survey, Denver, CO (United States)
3. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM (United States); and others

Oxygen isotope and total organic carbon values of cored sediments from the Owens Lake basin, California, indicate that Owens Lake overflowed most of the time between 52,500 and 12,500 carbon-14 ({sup 14}C) years before present (B.P.). Owens Lake desiccated during or after Heinrich event H1 and was hydrologically closed during Heinrich event H2. The magnetic susceptibility and organic carbon content of cored sediments indicate that about 19 Sierra Nevada glaciations occurred between 52,500 and 23,500 {sup 14}C years B.P. Most of glacial advances were accompanied by decreases in the amount of discharge reaching Owens Lake. Comparison of the timing of glaciation with the lithic record of North Atlantic core V23-81 indicates that the number of mountain glacial cycles and the number of North Atlantic lithic events were about equal between 39,000 and 23,500 {sup 14}C years B.P. 27 refs., 3 figs.

• OSTI ID: 433213
• Journal Information: Science, Journal Name: Science Journal Issue: 5288 Vol. 274; ISSN SCIEAS; ISSN 0036-8075
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CALIFORNIA
HYDROLOGY
LAKES
PALEOCLIMATOLOGY