PRESERVATION AND RECOGNITION OF MIDDLE AND EARLY PLEISTOCENE LOESS INTHE DRIFTLESS AREA, WISCONSIN

An exceptional stratigraphic and pedologic record of Pleistocene envir onmental conditions occurs at the Kieler Site in the Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin, Peoria, Roxana, Loveland, and pre-Loveland lo esses overlie weathered bedrock residuum, The pre-Loveland unit previo usly has been included as part of the residuum at other Driftless Area sites, Early and middle Pleistocene loesses in the Mississippi Valley are normally absent at most localities. Rather than nondeposition, we suggest the apparent absence of pre-Illinoian loess units is due in p art to erosion, but also to weathering that renders loesses unrecogniz able so they are classified as ''residuum.'' (C) 1997 University of Wa shington.