Luminescence dating: an Australian perspective

Abstract

Applications of luminescence dating to Quaternary earth science are reviewed, the examples being from Australia. The methods of thermoluminescence (TL) and optical dating using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) are briefly described, together with their limitations. Prominent results are: (i) the distribution of ages of Australian desert dunes shows peak activity at about the time of the last glacial maximum; (ii) the lake-full episodes of Lake Eyre are traced back to 140 ka; (iii) the ages of relict beach dunes in South Australia, when compared with independent geological ages based on δ¹⁸O records, show that luminescence dating can be used for ages to 500 ka and older; and (iv) the development of interior river systems has been traced. Among less common applications are: (i) the dating of Australia's youngest volcanoes at 5–4 ka (in these cases the luminescence signal was reset by heat); (ii) the determination of age vs depth of a deep-sea core; and (iv) the age of earthquakes (from the age of the infilling of fault scarps). The emphasis is on recent work and is illustrative rather than exhaustive, the object being to show the scope of luminescence dating. There are suggestions where further research might be directed.

Key Words:

• coastal
• earthquakes
• eolian dunes
• fluvial
• lacustrine
• luminescence dating
• Quaternary
• volcanoes

Acknowledgements

We are happy to acknowledge helpful advice, bibliographies and reprints from our colleagues. S. Greenhalgh, D. J. Huntley and two referees are thanked for comments on the manuscript. Luminescence dating in Adelaide is supported by the Archaeometry Special Fund of the Physics Discipline, University of Adelaide.