Zircon provenance of Quaternary cover beds using U–Pb dating: Regional differences in the Southwestern USA

U–Pb dating of detrital zircons (DZ) in Quaternary slope deposits (cover beds) and examination the surface structure single zircon grains may enable reconstruction provenance their aeolian components help to reconstruct sedimentary palaeo-transportation cascades. We distinguish several layers using a palaeosol-supported sequence-stratigraphic approach. In pilot study, we demonstrate usability end-member-modelled analyses grain sizes identify matter, multi-dimensional scaling density functions (probability (PDF) Kernel estimations (KDE)) data, morphology DZ, show that age appearance variation DZ Great Basin differ remarkably from those Colorado Plateau. All samples contain matter. Density ages similarities within each two regions. The are dominated by late Cretaceous Paleogene zircons, which assumed derive volcanism. contrast, Plateau almost free these contributions. Presumably, difference is due palaeolakes, were frequent only, whose sediments similar spectrum ages. Zircon indicates most have history transportation, whereas be volcanic origin often do not transportation marks; this was eruptive process but fewer steps cascade. Multidimensional data defines clusters with – compared published possible sources allows first interpretations provenance. been studied in, applied mix methods has to, southwestern USA before. feasibility for study area.