Pleistocene Soil Clay Analysis Within Glacial Deposits in Franklin, Pennsylvania
Persistent URL
Author(s)
Houlgate, Aidan
Date Issued
April 26, 2023
Abstract
Clay grain analysis is used to determine relative soil age through an examination of the isolated grains. Although Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating is oftentimes extremely accurate, discrepancies in the data will still be encountered, and using other lab techniques the results can either be validated or voided. In this study, lab instrumentation (XRD, SEM, and EDS) was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data from four soil samples within a glacial deposit and show indicators of possible soil age. Raw data was collected and compared to determine similarities and differences between the soil groupings. The samples showed characteristics of soil development as well as mineralogical maturity, indicating a strong correlation to the older glacial till of Venango County, PA (Mapledale Till) rather than the younger glacial deposits.
Major
Geology
First Reader(s)
Shaffer, Chris
Other Reader(s)
Misner, Tamara
Department
Geology
Type of Publication
Senior Project Paper
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
Name
Aidan Houlgate_Comp_2023.pdf
Description
Full PDF of Manuscript
Size
31.26 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
0421239496b1045858ea32916ff0b961