Quaternary Aminostratigraphy of Eolianite on Lord Howe Island, Southwest Pacific Ocean

Lord Howe Island eolianite deposits are dated using amino acid racemization (AAR) to establish a geochronological framework from the Holocene to the Middle Pleistocene. The dataset, published by the Australian Ocean Data Network, defines three aminozones based on racemization extents in land snails and whole-rock samples, correlating with Oxygen Isotope Stages 5 and 7. These AAR data support independent lithostratigraphic interpretations and indicate eolianite deposition occurred over a longer interval linked to high sea-level periods.

Use Cases

• Correlating disparate geological successions based on amino acid D/L ratios.
• Refining geochronological frameworks for coastal deposits using racemization data from land snails and whole-rock samples.
• Linking large dune unit deposition to periods of high sea level based on the extended temporal range revealed by AAR.
• Assessing the reliability of AAR dating by checking stratigraphic order and consistency across a suite of seven amino acids.

Strengths

• Data reliability is assessed by analyzing multiple samples per lithostratigraphic unit and checking stratigraphic order.
• Defines three distinct aminozones (A, B, C) with specific mean D/L-leucine ratios provided for each.
• Findings are in broad agreement with independent U/Th and TL age dating from speleothems and corals.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Last updated 2026-04-28 13:01:59.243655; freshness should be verified.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Amino acid racemization (AAR) dating of eolianite and land snail (Placostylus bivaricosus) samples.

Time Range

Holocene to Middle Pleistocene

Freshness

2026-04-28 13:01:59.243655

Geography

Lord Howe Island, Southwest Pacific Ocean