Papers by Christine Thiel
Multidisciplinary study of the north-eastern part of the aeolian ‘European Sand Belt’.Structural-... more Multidisciplinary study of the north-eastern part of the aeolian ‘European Sand Belt’.Structural-textural pattern for aeolian deposits and their substratum.Reconstruction of the processes of aeolian activities and transformation in Latvia and Estonia area since ∼16 ka.No significant substratum-aeolian transformation was recorded in textures.A distinctive accumulation of aeolian sand occurred between ∼16 ka and ∼9 ka.The Latvian and Estonian inland dunes belong to the north-eastern part of the ‘European Sand Belt’ (ESB). These dunes are widely distributed over broad glaciolacustrine plains and Late Glacial alluvial deltas, considered to be potential sources for the aeolian material. Little is known about these aeolian sediments and their substratum; here we present a detailed sedimentary structural and textural characterisation together with a luminescence-based chronology. Through a comparison between grain-size, rounding of quartz grains and surface characteristics in medium/coarse (0.5–0.8 mm) sand, and the light mineral content, we found an alternation of aeolian and periglacial components. Further, short-lasting aeolian abrasion and/or transportation periods, and a significant contribution of a nearby sediment source are suggested. Luminescence dating points to aeolian sand accumulation and dune formation between ∼16 ka and ∼9 ka. However, we also observed some presumably watertable controlled environmental conditions at ∼13 ka; this corresponds with the occurrence of an ice-dammed/proglacial lake.
Quaternary International, 2014
Article history: Available online xxx a b s t r a c t A Quaternary site at Drmno (comprising of M... more Article history: Available online xxx a b s t r a c t A Quaternary site at Drmno (comprising of Middle and Late Pleistocene loessepalaeosol sequences) near Kostolac, northeast Serbia, attracted attention from the general public and scientists, when several steppe mammoth and other mammal skeletons from Middle Pleistocene fluvial deposits were discovered in 2009 and 2012. This paper presents the combination of malacological and enviromagnetic analyses, preliminary luminescence dating, litho-pedostratigraphic and palaeo-relief investigations that were applied to the Nosak loessepalaeosol sequence for the 2012 findings. The results confirm and emphasize the antiquity of the sediments preserved in the Nosak section and demonstrate the significance of the detailed and relatively complete palaeoenvironmental record they contain. These discoveries can significantly contribute to setting the background towards an improved understanding of the evolution of mammoths on the European continent.
Article history: Available online xxx a b s t r a c t A Quaternary site at Drmno (comprising of M... more Article history: Available online xxx a b s t r a c t A Quaternary site at Drmno (comprising of Middle and Late Pleistocene loessepalaeosol sequences) near Kostolac, northeast Serbia, attracted attention from the general public and scientists, when several steppe mammoth and other mammal skeletons from Middle Pleistocene fluvial deposits were discovered in 2009 and 2012. This paper presents the combination of malacological and enviromagnetic analyses, preliminary luminescence dating, litho-pedostratigraphic and palaeo-relief investigations that were applied to the Nosak loessepalaeosol sequence for the 2012 findings. The results confirm and emphasize the antiquity of the sediments preserved in the Nosak section and demonstrate the significance of the detailed and relatively complete palaeoenvironmental record they contain. These discoveries can significantly contribute to setting the background towards an improved understanding of the evolution of mammoths on the European continent.
The Stratzing site is located in the Kremser Field (Lower Austria), an area that is covered by th... more The Stratzing site is located in the Kremser Field (Lower Austria), an area that is covered by thick (up to ~30 m) loess deposits and is famous for its archaeological finds. The loess sequence investigated here has a thickness of 7.5 meters and includes several weak to well developed paleosols. Zöller et al. (1994) have dated the upper part (0-4
It is well known that loess deposits contain detailed terrestrial archives of palaeoenvironmental... more It is well known that loess deposits contain detailed terrestrial archives of palaeoenvironmental changes. Unfortunately, loess sequences often lack a reliable absolute chronology, and thus these changes are difficult to constrain in time. Luminescence dating is the technique of choice to address this issue. Quartz and feldspar are the most commonly used dosimeters in luminescence dating. The age range of standard quartz OSL is usually limited by the saturation level of ~200 Gy (corresponding to ~50 ka). In contrast, the age range of feldspar IRSL signals - which usually have a more extended growth curve (up to ~2000 Gy) - is hampered by anomalous fading for which a reliable correction is still not available. Recently, Thomsen et al. (2008) identified several laboratory-induced feldspar signals which show less anomalous fading than the standard IRSL signal stimulated at 50°C. Based on this work, Buylaert et al. (accepted) tested a post-IR IR signal, i.e. IR bleach at 50°C and subsequent IRSL measurement at 225°C, and observed significantly lower fading rates in nature for a number of coarse-grained K-feldspar samples. In this study we explore the possibility of using such a post-IR IR signal from polymineral fine grains extracted from loess. Murray et al. (accepted) showed that a more stringent preheat treatment (320°C for 60 s) can be safely used for feldspar; as a result, we have been able to use a post-IR IR measurement temperature of 290°C, higher than that in the study of Buylaert et al. (accepted), with the expectation that this might further reduce the observed fading rate. The results of the elevated temperature IRSL signal fading measurements clearly indicate a significantly lower fading rate (g2days values typically 1-1.5 %/decade) than the standard IRSL measured at 50°C (g2days values typically 3 %/decade). Results of the performance in the SAR protocol (recycling ratios, recuperation and dose recovery) are very encouraging (measured dose within 15% of the given dose). This high temperature signal is also bleachable by daylight, as confirmed by the values of De observed in young samples and by performing controlled laboratory bleaching experiments. The enhanced post-IR IR dating protocol was applied to loess samples from Austria and Japan and compared with standard IRSL at 50°C and quartz OSL measurements. First results suggest that there is good agreement for the younger samples of Weichselian age but that the ages begin to deviate for the older samples. Final results, including a comparison with independent age control provided by known age tephra layers for the Japan samples (Watanuki et al., 2005), will be presented. Buylaert, J. P., Murray, A. S., Thomsen, K. J., Jain, M., accepted. Testing the potential of an elevated temperature IRSL signal from K-feldspar. Radiation Measurements, Special Issue, LED08. Murray, A. S., Buylaert, J. P., Thomsen, K. J., Jain, M., accepted. The Effect of Preheating on the IRSL Signal from Feldspar. Radiation Measurements, Special Issue, LED08. Thomsen, K. J., Murray, A. S., Jain, M., Bøtter-Jensen, L., 2008. Laboratory fading rates of various luminescence signals from feldspar-rich sediment extracts. Radiation Measurements, 43, 1474-1486. Watanuki, T., Murray, A. S., Tsukamoto, S., 2005. Quartz and polymineral luminescence dating of Japanese loess over the last 0.6 Ma: Comparison with an independent chronology. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 240, 774-789.
The English texts of the field guide were revised by Valdis Bērziņš
In the geology of Iran, generally, rocks and deposits related to after Pliocene -Pleistocene cong... more In the geology of Iran, generally, rocks and deposits related to after Pliocene -Pleistocene conglomeratic formations (Hezar Dare and Bakhtiari) have been attributed to Quaternary period, which have covered older rocks (except to southern beaches of Caspian sea) unconformably; alluvial -alluvial fan, eolian and desert -wilderness deposits are more represented among them. That is why there is this belief that after late Alpine tectonic event, Iranian plate has been emerged from water and it has formed its current morphology. One of its results is the beginning of erosional cycles which have been imposed on Iran ares since that time to recent. In the Alborz and Zagros basins, the Quaternary alluvial deposits are composed of thick sediments, which are formed by conglomerates, coarse gravels, boulders, pebbles, sand, silt and marls. Intervals of different stages are distinct by sedimentation changes.
Journal of Quaternary Science
In comparison to other areas in low mountain regions, the widespread occurrence and thickness of ... more In comparison to other areas in low mountain regions, the widespread occurrence and thickness of loess is impressive in the northern Vienna Forest. Due to differences in grain size, it is obvious that the loess deposits of the Hagenbach Valley deviate from those of other locations. In comparison to the results of Krems and Stillfried, the loess of the Hagenbach Valley has a pronounced maximum in the sand fraction reflecting an essential influence of the Flysch sandstone and a proximity to the source sarea. The loess of the Hagenbach Valley is specified as sediment with significant local impact due to a remarkable influence of short distance transport. Partly, the loess is of alluvial origin as it contains small pebbles and therefore it reflects cool and wet paleoenvironmental conditions. The malacological evidences coincide with the geomorphodynamic conditions. Redeposition processes cause a generally high degree of fragmentation. The malacological analyses proved 28 species of terr...
During the Middle Weichselian period (~60-30ka, MIS 3) the dynamic of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet ... more During the Middle Weichselian period (~60-30ka, MIS 3) the dynamic of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet as a whole and its single ice-tongues was very high, and sediments representing stadial and interstadial climate conditions are well-known from many sites in Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland for this time period [1]. However, from the German Baltic Sea coast only few localities with reliable ages have been reported. The main objective of our investigation is to set up a more reliable chronological framework, especially for the Early and Middle Weichselian period along the Baltic Sea coast of Germany. Here we present the first results of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating from an outcrop (Kluckow) located on the Jasmund peninsula (Island of Rügen / NE Germany). The deposits consist of (glacial-) fluvial and (glacial-) lacustrine sediments which are intercalated between two glacial tills. The lower till correlates to a Saalian ice advance (MIS 6) whereas the upper till litho...
Journal of Quaternary Science
This paper presents a review on recently dated sections in well-known loess/paleosol sequences of... more This paper presents a review on recently dated sections in well-known loess/paleosol sequences of Lower Austria. The dating results indicate that there was loess deposition during the Upper Würmian Pleniglacial as recorded in the profile Joching. However, most obtained ages are older than the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and therefore erosional processes, which led to the removal of younger deposits can be supposed. Soil formation between ~28 ka and ~35 ka mainly resulted in the formation of Cryosols. Hence, in the studied profiles, there is no evidence for more intense interstadial pedogenesis during this time span. This might be of particular relevance to the stratigraphy of ‘Stillfried B’ (sensu Fink). The 2nd age cluster lies between ~35 ka and ~57 ka i. e. the Middle Pleniglacial (Würmian) and is dominated by loess deposits intercalated with different Cryosols. This period is also characterized by colluvial processes. There is a significant hiatus between ~57 ka and ~106 ka, a fa...
Quaternary Research, 2015
We present a study based on four inland eolian locations in Eastern, Central and Southeastern Lit... more We present a study based on four inland eolian locations in Eastern, Central and Southeastern Lithuania belonging to the northeastern part of the 'European Sand Belt' (ESB). Although there have been several previous studies of the ESB, this north-eastern extension has not been investigated before in any detail. The sedimentary structural-textural features are investigated and a chronology was derived using optically stimulated luminescence on both quartz and feldspar. The sedimentary structures and the rounding and surface characteristics of the quartz grains argue for a predominance of eolian transport. Additionally, some structural alternations and a significant contribution of non-eolian grains are interpreted as inherited local glacial/glaciofluvial-bearing lithologies. Three main (glaciolacustrine-) eolian phases are distinguished based on the position in the landscape and the luminescence ages: (1) An older eolian series around 15 to 16 ka, possibly correlated with the cold GS-2a event according to the GRIP stratigraphy, and (2) a younger eolian series around 14.0 ka, possibly representing the GI-1d and 1c events. The older eolian series is underlain by (3) a glaciolacustrine-eolian series for which the period of deposition remains uncertain due to the significant discrepancy between the ages based on quartz and feldspar.
Quaternary Geochronology, 2015
A cliff outcrop called Kluckow, in the Baltic Sea area, with a (glacio-) fluvial to (glacio-) lac... more A cliff outcrop called Kluckow, in the Baltic Sea area, with a (glacio-) fluvial to (glacio-) lacustrine succession, provides a unique opportunity to resolve uncertainties in the timing and extent of several poorly constrained Weichselian ice advances. Based on a detailed lithofacies analysis, we selected four sampling horizons for luminescence dating to determine a depositional chronology. We measured both coarsegrain quartz and potassium-rich feldspar for age determination using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and post-IR infrared stimulated luminescence (pIRIR). Furthermore we addressed potential problems such as incomplete bleaching and quartz saturation effects. The resulting luminescencechronology, supported by one radiocarbon age, illustrates a depositional time interval of the investigated sequence between~62 and~22 ka. Within this sequence a mussel-bearing fluvial sand indicate interstadial climate conditions at approximately 46 ka. The upper part of the section is composed of a 4 m thick glaciolacustrine silty clay and an overlying glaciofluvial sand; the latter yielded an OSL age of 22 ka. Shortly after these sequences formed, the subsequent ice advance (indicated by the overlying till sheet) reached the study area. Based on our new chronology and lithofacies analysis, we conclude that the Scandinavian Ice Sheet did not reach the study area between~62 and~22 ka.
E&G Quaternary Science Journal
Heavy mineral analysis of alluvial sediments and paleosols on Holocene terraces of the Usumacinta... more Heavy mineral analysis of alluvial sediments and paleosols on Holocene terraces of the Usumacinta River provided an effective tool to reconstruct sediment provenance in the Mayan Lowlands. Furthermore, the mineralogical data are useful for pedostratigraphic correlations in the region. Based on our observations from the Tierra Blanca profile, the ultrastable detrital heavy minerals assemblage (mostly zircon, tourmaline, and rutile) are the most promising mineral proxies to recognize the provenance of the sediments. Those minerals are accompanied by an intriguing variety of high density authigenic minerals (including titanite). Using the specific characteristics and the ages obtained for some layers, it may now be possible to develop a regional chronostratigraphy for the paleosols and alluvial sequences. Our data suggest that sediments were transported westward in river channels originating from the highlands of Guatemala. The studied materials also contain high amounts of volcanic mi...
Journal of Quaternary Science
The stratigraphy and settlement history of the loess-areas in Central Europe is well known for th... more The stratigraphy and settlement history of the loess-areas in Central Europe is well known for the glacial periods and the Holocene. In contrast there are no recent investigations in the sandy loess areas of the so called “Altmoränengebiet” in northern Germany on the age of the sediments, timing of soil formation and settement history. In this study two soil profiles in the Lüneburg Heath are investigated. The soils have been studied by means of sedimentology, pedology and palynology. Dating was done by optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and radiocarbon. The results give the first evidence from the Altmoränengebiet for human impact on soil development as early as the late Neolithic. In the soil profiles, periods of erosion and accumulation with enrichment in organic rich material are indicated.
Quaternary Geochronology, 2015
Northeastern China is located in the East Asian monsoon region; it is sensitive to both high and ... more Northeastern China is located in the East Asian monsoon region; it is sensitive to both high and low latitude global climate systems. Loess deposits in the region have considerable potential as sensitive archives of past climate changes. However, research into loess deposition and climate change in this region is restricted by the lack of independent age control. In this study, coarse-grained quartz SAR OSL and K-feldspar post-IR infrared (IR) stimulated luminescence (post-IR IRSL; pIRIR 290 ) methods have been used to date the Sanbahuo loess site in northeastern China. The quartz OSL characteristics are satisfactory. The measured pIRIR 290 D e 's do not vary significantly with IR stimulation temperatures between 50 C and 260 C; a first IR stimulation temperature of 200 C was adopted. Dose recovery tests were performed by adding different laboratory doses to both laboratory bleached (300 h SOL2) samples and natural samples; the results are satisfactory up to~800 Gy. Resulting quartz OSL and feldspar pIRIR 290 ages are in good agreement at least back to~44 ka; beyond this feldspar pIRIR 290 ages are older. The feldspar ages are consistent with the expected age of the S1 palaeosol (MIS 5). There appears to have been a period of fast loess deposition at~62 ka, perhaps indicative of winter monsoon intensification with a very cold and dry climate that lead to a serious desertification of dunefields in northeastern China.
Radiation Measurements, 2015
ABSTRACT There is a need for large scale intercomparisons to determine the degree of coherence of... more ABSTRACT There is a need for large scale intercomparisons to determine the degree of coherence of luminescence dating measurements made by different laboratories. Here we describe results from a laboratory intercomparison sample based on a quartz-rich aeolian and/or coastal marine sand ridge from the Skagen peninsula, northern Jutland (Denmark). About 200 kg of sand was sampled at night from a single beach ridge. The sand was homogenised using a cement mixer and packed in ∼700 moisture and light-tight bags for distribution. The quartz luminescence characteristics are satisfactory (e.g. fast-component dominated and good dose recovery) and our own equivalent dose determinations and measurements of radionuclide concentrations for twenty of these bags demonstrate the degree of homogenisation. One natural sample and one sample of pre-processed quartz was made available on request; analysis of all the responses gives a mean dose (pre-processed quartz) of 4.58 Gy, σ=0.40 (n=26), to be compared to the mean dose (self-extracted quartz) of 4.52 Gy, σ =0.55 (n=21). The mean age is 3.99±0.14 ka, σ =0.71 (n=22), i.e. a relative standard deviation of 18%. We present an analysis of all the important quantitative and qualitative responses we received between 2007 and 2012 and discuss the implications for our dating community and for users of luminescence ages.
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Papers by Christine Thiel