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Climate of the Last Glaciation in New Zealand, Based on Aerosolic Quartz Influx in an Andesitic Terrain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Brent V. Alloway
Affiliation:
Department of Soil Science, Massey University, Private Bag, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Robert B. Stewart
Affiliation:
Department of Soil Science, Massey University, Private Bag, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Vincent E. Neall
Affiliation:
Department of Soil Science, Massey University, Private Bag, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Colin G. Vucetich
Affiliation:
Department of Soil Science, Massey University, Private Bag, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Abstract

On western North Island, New Zealand, a record of climatic change during the last glaciation is preserved in a terrestrial coverbed sequence of dominantly andesitic provenance. Here, a succession of five loess-like Andisol units postdates the global high sea-level stand of oxygen isotope substage 5e (<125,000 yr). Tephra erupted from western and central North Island allow precise chronological correlation of the loess-like units. Aerosolic quartz additions determined by quantitative X-ray diffraction (XRD) record two major peaks that correlate with oxygen isotope stages 2 and 4. The most likely source of quartz-rich dust at these times is the surrounding continental shelf, then exposed by low sea level; however, quartz of Australian provenance may also be represented. This study provides the first confirmation from the terrestrial New Zealand record that rates of atmospherically transported particles increase during glacial stages.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
University of Washington

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