Geomorphic assessment of late Quaternary volcanism in the Yucca Mountain area, southern Nevada: Implications for the proposed high-level radioactive waste repository

Abstract

Research Article| June 01, 1990 Geomorphic assessment of late Quaternary volcanism in the Yucca Mountain area, southern Nevada: Implications for the proposed high-level radioactive waste repository S. G. Wells; S. G. Wells 1Department of Geology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar L. D. McFadden; L. D. McFadden 1Department of Geology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar C. E. Renault; C. E. Renault 1Department of Geology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar B. M. Crowe B. M. Crowe 21011 Convention Center Drive, Los Alamos Yucca Mountain Project Office, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information S. G. Wells 1Department of Geology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131 L. D. McFadden 1Department of Geology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131 C. E. Renault 1Department of Geology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131 B. M. Crowe 21011 Convention Center Drive, Los Alamos Yucca Mountain Project Office, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1990) 18 (6): 549–553. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1990)018<0549:GAOLQV>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation S. G. Wells, L. D. McFadden, C. E. Renault, B. M. Crowe; Geomorphic assessment of late Quaternary volcanism in the Yucca Mountain area, southern Nevada: Implications for the proposed high-level radioactive waste repository. Geology 1990;; 18 (6): 549–553. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1990)018<0549:GAOLQV>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Volcanic hazard studies for high-level radioactive waste isolation in the Yucca Mountain area, Nevada, require a detailed understanding of Quaternary volcanism to forecast rates of volcanic processes. Recent studies of the Quaternary Cima volcanic field in southern California have demonstrated that K-Ar dates of volcanic landforms are consistent with their geomorphic and pedologic properties. The systematic change of these properties with time may be used to provide age estimates of undated or questionably dated volcanic features. The reliability off radiometric age determinations of the youngest volcanic center, Lathrop Wells, near the proposed Yucca Mountain site in Nevada has been problematic. In this study, a comparison of morphometric, pedogenic, and stratigraphic data establishes that correlation of geomorphic and soil properties between the Cima volcanic field and the Yucca Mountain area is valid. Comparison of the Lathrop Wells cinder cone to a 15-20 ka cinder cone in California shows that their geomorphic-pedogenic properties are similar and implies that the two cones are of similar age. We conclude that previous determinations of ca. 0.27 Ma for the latest volcanic activity at Lathrop Wells, approximately 20 km from the proposed repository, may be in error by as much as an order of magnitude and that the most recent volcanic activity is no older than 20 ka. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.