Reconnaissance luminescence dating of Laurentide Ice Sheet deposits in western New York, USA

Abstract

We present luminescence ages from glaciofluvial and glaciolacustrine sediments in western New York, USA, that build on prior constraints on the timing of ice sheet retreat during the last deglaciation. Fourteen luminescence ages from six sites indicate that 1) glaciofluvial outwash just inboard of the maximum Olean ice limit in western New York was deposited before 19.0 ± 1.8 to 16.7 ± 1.2 ka (age ± 1σ), providing a minimum constraint on ice retreat from this position and suggesting that the Olean Moraine is local Last Glacial Maximum in age, 2) the Laurentide Ice Sheet deposited the Lake Escarpment Moraine at between 20.1 ± 4.2 ka and 18.7 ± 1.7 ka, and before 15.3 ± 2.4 to 14.0 ± 2.1 ka, 3) Lake Warren I existed between 11.2 ± 2.9 ka and 12.0 ± 2.8 ka, and 4) large deltas formed in a proglacial lake in the Genesee Valley between 16.3 ± 2.2 ka and 15.6 ± 2.1 ka. Despite uncertainties, luminescence dating in western New York can be of use in future studies aiming to constrain the age of glacial deposits where organic material for radiocarbon dating is sparse, or where deposits are beyond the age range of radiocarbon dating.