CATION-RATIO DATING OF QUATERNARY MATERIALS IN THE EAST-CENTRAL MOJAVE DESERT, CALIFORNIA

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Abstract
An excellent correlation is found between K+Ca:Ti ratios in rock varnishes and radiometric ages of K-Ar-dated basalt flows in the Cima volcanic field and accelerator-radiocarbon-dated varnishes from nearby sites in the east-central Mojave Desert of California. This calibration extends from about 1 million to about 100 years BP, allowing the chronometric dating of geomorphic and archaeologic surfaces in the eastcentral Mojave Desert. There are significant differences between this curve and the cation-leaching curve developed for the Coso Range, southestern California. Therefore, this curve cannot be used to determine the ages of rock varnishes in areas far beyond the east-central Mojave Desert. [Key words: rock varnish, Mojave Desert, California, Quaternary dating methods, geomorphology, Cima volcanic field.]