Lord Howe Island Quaternary Calcarenite Stratigraphy and Depositional History

Australian Ocean Data Network provides lithostratigraphic and chronologic data for Quaternary calcarenite formations on Lord Howe Island. The dataset documents two formations, the Searles Point and Neds Beach Formations, representing up to 7 discrete depositional phases. The chronology is constructed from U/Th, TL, AMS 14C, and amino acid racemization dating of speleothems, corals, paleosols, and land snails.

Use Cases

• Correlate lithostratigraphic units like the Searles Point Formation with Middle Pleistocene OIS 7 using U/Th and TL age data.
• Analyze depositional phases in the Neds Beach Formation by comparing beach unit ages from OIS 5e with overlying dune unit ages.
• Study cement types and karst features to infer paleoenvironmental conditions during eolianite emplacement.
• Reconstruct sediment source location and paleo-shoreline positions from morphostratigraphical features of transverse and climbing dunes.

Strengths

• Chronology integrates multiple dating methods: U/Th, TL, AMS 14C, and amino acid racemization.
• Stratigraphy identifies up to 7 discrete phases of carbonate deposition.
• Data covers two distinct formations with detailed lithological descriptions.

Limitations

• Specific row counts, column details, and sample sizes are not provided.
• Geographic scope is limited to a single island location, Lord Howe Island.
• The primary data format is HTML, which may not be structured for direct analysis.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network.

Collection Method

Field stratigraphy combined with laboratory geochronological dating of speleothems, corals, paleosols, and land snails.

Time Range

Middle Pleistocene to Late Pleistocene, specifically Oxygen Isotope Stages 7 and 5.

Freshness

Last updated on 2026-04-04.

Geography

Lord Howe Island in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.