Stratigraphy, Sedimentology, Paleontology, and Paleomagnetism of Pliocene-Early Pleistocene Lacustrine Deposits in Two Cores from Western Utah

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Metadata:

Identification_Information
Data_Quality_Information
Spatial_Reference_Information
Entity_and_Attribute_Information
Distribution_Information
Metadata_Reference_Information

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: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-001/

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:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 1995

Currentness_Reference: publication date

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: USGS Thesaurus
Theme_Keyword: climate change
Theme_Keyword: paleontology
Theme_Keyword: stratigraphy
Theme_Keyword: sedimentology
Theme_Keyword: paleomagnetism
Theme_Keyword: vegetation
Theme_Keyword: precipitation (atmospheric)
Theme_Keyword: unconsolidated deposits
Theme_Keyword: palynology
Theme_Keyword: ostracodes
Theme_Keyword: datasets

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

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Categories
Theme_Keyword: geoscientificInformation

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: Augmented FIPS 10-4 and FIPS 6-4
Place_Keyword: f49027 = Millard

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

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:

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: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-001/2-material/fig1.gif
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: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-001/3-black_rock/fig3.gif
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: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-001/4-pit_of_death/fig9.gif
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: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-001/4-pit_of_death/fig13.gif
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).

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
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, Transactions of the American Geophysical Union
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 Science 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

Process_Step:

Process_Description: Creation of original metadata record
Process_Date: 20100720
Process_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

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.

apx1.tab  1  Depth (feet)
apx1.tab  2  Depth (meters)
apx1.tab  3  Grain size description
apx1.tab  4  Color of material
apx1.tab  5  Bedding / sedimentary structures
apx1.tab  6  Miscellaneous notes

Black Rock Core Paleomagnetic Data. Paleomagnetic inclination measured by either Alternating Field demagnetization method or thermal demagnetization method.

apx2.tab  1  Sample Label
apx2.tab  2  Depth of sample (feet)
apx2.tab  3  Depth of sample (meters)
apx2.tab  4  Declination (degrees)
apx2.tab  5  Inclination (degrees)
apx2.tab  6  Delta (degrees)
apx2.tab  7  Intensity
apx2.tab  8  Polarity (Reversed/Not Reversed)
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.

apx3.tab   1  Depth    (feet)
apx3.tab   2  Sum      Terrestrial Pollen Sum
apx3.tab   3  Abies    Abies count
apx3.tab   4  Junip.   Juniperus-type count
apx3.tab   5  Picea    Picea count
apx3.tab   6  Pinus    Pinus count
apx3.tab   7  Ps./La.  Pseudotsuga/Larix count
apx3.tab   8  Ts.he.   Tsuga heterophylla count
apx3.tab   9  Ve.un.   Vesiculate conifer undif. count
apx3.tab  10  Ep.tr.   Ephedra trifurca-type count
apx3.tab  11  Ep.vi.   Ephedra viridis-type
apx3.tab  12  Acer     Acer count
apx3.tab  13  Alnus    Alnus count
apx3.tab  14  Arce.    Arceuthobium count
apx3.tab  15  Betula   Betula count
apx3.tab  16  Celtis   Celtis count
apx3.tab  17  Cerc.    Cercocarpus-type count
apx3.tab  18  Frax.    Fraxinus count
apx3.tab  19  Frem.    Fremontodendron? count
apx3.tab  20  Holo.    Holodiscus-type count
apx3.tab  21  Popu.    Populus count
apx3.tab  22  Pote.    Potentilla count
apx3.tab  23  Pter.    Pterocarya? count
apx3.tab  24  Quer.    Quercus count
apx3.tab  25  Rham.    Rhamnaceae count
apx3.tab  26  Rosa.    Rosaceae count
apx3.tab  27  Salix    Salix count
apx3.tab  28  Sh./E.   Shepherdia/Elaegnus count
apx3.tab  29  Symp.    Symphoricarpos/Lonicera count
apx3.tab  30  Ulmus    Ulmus count
apx3.tab  31  Ambr.    Ambrosia-type count
apx3.tab  32  Arte.    Artemisia count
apx3.tab  33  Tubu.    Tubuliflorae count
apx3.tab  34  Ligu.    Liguliflorae count
apx3.tab  35  Ch.Am.   Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthus count
apx3.tab  36  Sarc.    Sarcobatus count
apx3.tab  37  Poac.    Poaceae count
apx3.tab  38  Apia.    Apiaceae count
apx3.tab  39  Bras.    Brassicaceae count
apx3.tab  40  Cary.    Caryophyllaceae count
apx3.tab  41  Erio.    Eriogonum count
apx3.tab  42  Euph.    Euphorbiaceae count
apx3.tab  43  Faba.    Fabaceae count
apx3.tab  44  Gili.    Gilia-type count
apx3.tab  45  Onag.    Onagraceae count
apx3.tab  46  Phlox    Phlox count
apx3.tab  47  Pole.    Polemonium count
apx3.tab  48  Poly.    Polygonaceae count
apx3.tab  49  Sola.    Solanaceae count
apx3.tab  50  Thal.    Thalictrum count
apx3.tab  51  Unkn.    Unknown count
apx3.tab  52  Inde.    Indeterminate count
apx3.tab  53  Mono.    Monlete spores count
apx3.tab  54  Tril.    Trilete spores count
apx3.tab  55  Cype.    Cyperaceae count
apx3.tab  56  Myri.    Myriophyllum count
apx3.tab  57  Ty.Sp.   Typha/Sparganium count
apx3.tab  58  Pota.    Potamogeton count
apx3.tab  59  Rupp.    Ruppia count
apx3.tab  60  Botr.    Botryococcus count
apx3.tab  61  Pedi.    Pediastrum count
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.

apx4.tab  1  Depth (feet)
apx4.tab  2  Depth (meters)
apx4.tab  3  Grain size description
apx4.tab  4  Color of material
apx4.tab  5  Nature of boundary
apx4.tab  6  Bedding / sedimentary structures
apx4.tab  7  Miscellaneous notes

Pit of Death Core Paleomagnetic Data. Paleomagnetic inclination measured by either Alternating Field demagnetization method or thermal demagnetization method.

apx5.tab  1  Sample Label
apx5.tab  2  Depth of sample (feet)
apx5.tab  3  Depth of sample (meters)
apx5.tab  4  Declination (degrees)
apx5.tab  5  Inclination (degrees)
apx5.tab  6  Delta (degrees)
apx5.tab  7  Intensity
apx5.tab  8  Polarity (Reversed/Not Reversed)
apx5.tab  9  Method of Demagnetization (Thermal/Alternating Field)
2-material/fig2.ps

Vector component diagrams indicating representative demagnetizationbehavior of paleomagnetic samples.

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-001/3-black_rock/fig3.gif
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/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.

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-001/3-black_rock/fig4.gif
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-001/3-black_rock/fig4.ps

Diagram showing the paleomagnetic inclination record of the Black Rock core.

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-001/3-black_rock/fig5.gif
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-001/3-black_rock/fig5.ps

Diagram showing age vs. depth relationship based on paleomagnetics and tephrochronology in the Black Rock Core.

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-001/3-black_rock/fig6.gif
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-001/3-black_rock/fig6.ps

Diagram showing paleomagnetic record and pollen percentages of 15 taxa in the Black Rock core.

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-001/3-black_rock/fig7.gif
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/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

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-001/3-black_rock/fig8.gif
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/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.

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-001/4-pit_of_death/fig9.gif
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/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.

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-001/4-pit_of_death/fig10.gif
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-001/4-pit_of_death/fig10.ps

Diagram showing the paleomagnetic inclination record of the Pit of Death core.

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-001/4-pit_of_death/fig11.gif
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/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.

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-001/4-pit_of_death/fig12.gif
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-001/4-pit_of_death/fig12.ps

Diagram comparing the magnetic susceptibiliy records of the Black Rock and Pit of Death cores.

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-001/4-pit_of_death/fig13.gif
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-001/4-pit_of_death/fig13.ps

Diagram comparing the chronologies and depositional rates of the Black Rock and Pit of Death cores.

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-001/5-discussion/fig14.gif
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/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: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-001/of95-001.html

Distribution_Information:

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: ASCII
Format_Information_Content:

The information is structured and formatted for retrieval using web browsers.

Digital_Transfer_Option:

Online_Option:

Computer_Contact_Information:

Network_Address:

Network_Resource_Name: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1995/of95-001/

Fees: none

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: 20160613
Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Peter N Schweitzer
Contact_Organization: USGS Midwest Area

Contact_Position:

Collection manager, USGS Geoscience Data Clearinghouse, http://geo-nsdi.er.usgs.gov/

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing address
Address:

Mail Stop 954
12201 Sunrise Valley Dr

City: Reston
State_or_Province: VA
Postal_Code: 20192-0002
Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 703-648-6533
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 703-648-6252
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: pschweitzer@usgs.gov

Metadata_Standard_Name: Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998

This page is <https://geo-nsdi.er.usgs.gov/metadata/open-file/95-1/metadata.html>