Soil Relative Dating of Moraine and Outwash-Terrace Sequences in the Northern Part of the Upper Arkansas Valley, Central Colorado, U.S.A

TitleSoil Relative Dating of Moraine and Outwash-Terrace Sequences in the Northern Part of the Upper Arkansas Valley, Central Colorado, U.S.A
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1998
AuthorsNelson AR, Shroba RR
JournalArctic and Alpine Research
Volume30
Pagination349-361
ISBN Number0004-0851
Abstract

Profile development indices for soils developed in moraines and outwash near Twin Lakes and in outwash near Leadville support the correlation of moraines with subdued morphology and two high outwash terraces with the Bull Lake glaciation (ca. 130-160 ka) and the correlation of hummocky moraines and two low outwash terraces with the Pinedale glaciation (ca. 14-47 ka). Elsewhere in the northern part of the upper Arkansas Valley, glacial sequences are correlated by mapping outwash terraces near the mouths of major tributaries of the Arkansas River. Near Twin Lakes, indices for soils on low, outer lateral moraines suggest that the older Pinedale glaciers extended beyond the margin of high, younger Pinedale lateral moraines with hummocky topography. A few subdued moraines near Twin Lakes and Leadville probably record one or more glaciations significantly older than the Bull Lake. The downvalley extent of Pinedale glaciers in the Mosquito Range on the east side of the Arkansas Valley is uncertain: most likely, Pinedale glaciers were almost as extensive as Bull Lake glaciers but built no prominent terminal moraines at their maximum positions.