A multi-dating approach to age-modelling long continental records: the 135 ka El Cañizar de Villarquemado sequence (NE Spain)

Blas Lorenzo Valero-Garces, Penélope González Sampériz, Graciela Gil-Romera, Blas Benito, Ana Moreno, Belén Oliva-Urcia, Aranbarri Aranbarri, Eduardo García-Prieto, Matías Frugone-Álvarez, Mario Morellon Marteles, Lee Arnold, Martina Demuro, Mark Hardiman, Simon Blockley, Christine S. Lane

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    Abstract

    We present the multidisciplinary dating approach - including radiocarbon, Uranium/Thorium series (U/Th), paleomagnetism, single-grain Optical Stimulated Luminescense (OSL), Infrared Stimulated Luminescence (IRSL) and tephrochronology - used for the development of an age model for the Cañizar de Villarquemado sequence (VIL) for the last ca. 135 ka. We describe the protocols used for each technique and discuss the positive and negative results, as well as their implications for interpreting the VIL sequence and for dating similar terrestrial records. In spite of the negative results of some techniques, particularly due to the absence of adequate sample material or inaccurate analytical precision, the multi-technique strategy employed here is essential to maximize the chances of obtaining robust age models in terrestrial sequences. The final Bayesian age model for VIL sequence includes 16 AMS 14C ages, 9 OSL ages and 5 previously published IRSL ages, and the accuracy and resolution of the model are improved by incorporating information related to changes in accumulation rate, as revealed by detailed sedimentological analyses. The main paleohydrological and vegetation changes in the sequence are coherent with global Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 6 to 1 transitions since the penultimate Termination, although some regional idiosyncrasies are evident, such as higher moisture variability than expected, an abrupt inception of the last glacial cycle and a resilient response of vegetation in Mediterranean continental Iberia in both Terminations.
    Original languageEnglish
    Article number101006
    JournalQuaternary Geochronology
    Volume54
    Early online date22 Jun 2019
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2019

    Keywords

    • RCUK
    • NERC
    • NE/E015670/1

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