Document Type
Dataset
DOI
https://doi.org/10.32855/dataset.2025.11.20
Production/Collection Date
Production/Collection Date: 7-19-2021
Production/Collection Location
Wyoming, United States
Depositor
Karissa Cordero
Deposit Date
11-20-2025
Data Type
Chemical measurements, Experimental results, and Field photographs
Abstract
Hydrothermal explosions are a significant geological hazard in some active volcanic systems; however, the timing and triggering mechanisms of these explosions are poorly constrained. This study applies luminescence dating techniques to hydrothermal explosion deposits in the Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field to constrain explosion chronologies and evaluate potential triggering mechanisms. We tested four luminescence dating techniques: K-feldspar post-infrared infrared stimulated luminescence (pIRIR225), quartz blue light optically stimulated luminescence (BLOSL), quartz blue thermoluminescence (BTL), and quartz red thermoluminescence (RTL). The pIRIR225 and RTL protocols produce consistent age estimates that agree with independent radiocarbon ages and with the timing of the Pinedale deglaciation. This study focuses on two craters, Mary Bay, along the northern shore of Yellowstone Lake, and Pocket Basin in Lower Geyser Basin. The mean pIRIR225 ages from Mary Bay deposits (12.12 ± 1.64 ka) agree with previous radiocarbon constraints. The mean pIRIR225 results from Pocket Basin deposits (13.90 ± 3.27 ka) suggest a history of explosion following Pinedale deglaciation, followed by recent hydrothermal alteration. Luminescence dating techniques are a promising tool for reconstructing the timing of hydrothermal explosions in the late Pleistocene and Holocene, helping to constrain recurrence intervals of the largest hydrothermal systems, informing risk, and improving hazard assessments.
Disciplines
Earth Sciences | Environmental Sciences
Publication Date
Spring 2-1-2025
Language
English
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Cordero, K., Brown, N.D., Harrison, L.N., Hurwitz S., 2026. Luminescence Dating of Hydrothermal Explosions in the Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field. Earth & Environmental Sciences Dataset.