A 3500 14 C yr High-Resolution Record of Water-Level Changes in Lake Titicaca, Bolivia/Peru

Bibliographic Data

ID23321736
AuthorsMark B Abbott (0000-0002-0299-928X, University of Massachusetts Amherst), Michael W Binford (0000-0001-8914-1093, Harvard University), Mark Brenner (0000-0001-9837-012X, University of Florida), Kerry Kelts (University of Minnesota), Kerry R Kelts
Year1997
Volume47
Issue2
Pages169-180
Publication date1997-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueQuaternary Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-5894 • E-ISSN: 1096-0287
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1006/qres.1997.1881
OpenAlexW2028722604
LanguageEN
Citations received102
References cited20

Sediment cores collected from the southern basin of Lake Titicaca (Bolivia/Peru) on a transect from 4.6 m above overflow level to 15.1 m below overflow level are used to identify a new century-scale chronology of Holocene lake-level variations. The results indicate that lithologic and geochemical analyses on a transect of cores can be used to identify and date century-scale lake-level changes. Detailed sedimentary analyses of subfacies and radiocarbon dating were conducted on four representative cores. A chronology based on 60 accelerator mass spectrometer radiocarbon measurements constrains the timing of water-level fluctuations. Two methods were used to estimate the 14 C reservoir age. Both indicate that it has remained nearly constant at ∼250 14 C yr during the late Holocene. Core studies based on lithology and geochemistry establish the timing and magnitude of five periods of low lake level, implying negative moisture balance for the northern Andean altiplano over the last 3500 cal yr. Between 3500 and 3350 cal yr B.P., a transition from massive, inorganic-clay facies to laminated organic-matter-rich silts in each of the four cores signals a water-level rise after a prolonged mid-Holocene dry phase. Evidence of other significant low lake levels occurs 2900–2800, 2400–2200, 2000–1700, and 900–500 cal yr B.P. Several of the low lake levels coincided with cultural changes in the region, including the collapse of the Tiwanaku civilization.

Chronology · Facies · Geography · Holocene · Lithology · Physical geography · Radiocarbon dating · Sediment · Sedimentary rock · Structural basin · Transect · Varve · Water level · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Geology · Geology and Paleoclimatology Research · Oceanography · Paleontology · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology