A comparison of optically stimulated luminescence dating methods applied to Eolian sands from the Mojave desert in Southern Nevada

Optical dating methods were applied to eolian quartz and feldspar grains ta ken from near-surface locations in the Mojave Desert in southern Nevada, U. S.A. Three separate sites, all believed to have originated from the same ge ological event were sampled. Multiple aliquot methods as well as a single a liquot method (the 'single aliquot regeneration, added dose' or SARA techni que) were applied. Variations on these methods included different pre-heat treatments for the additive dose technique and optical and thermal resets f or the SARA technique. An automated routine was developed for use with the SARA analyses, and a new method of correcting for partial bleaching was als o developed and tested. The greatest variations in results were seen with t he multiple aliquot methods. Mean ages varied from 7.8 +/- 0.7 ka for the S ARA technique applied to quartz to 6.1 +/- 1.6 ka for the SARA technique ap plied to feldspar samples. Results of the multiple aliquot technique using quartz was 7.4 +/- 2.9 ka and 7.4 +/- 4.0 ka for the 220 degrees C pre-heat for 5 min and 160 degrees C pre-heat for 16 h, respectively. (C) 1999 Else vier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.