Abstract
Cosmogenic burial dating based on measurements of the 26Al/10Be ratio is a well-established geochronological method that contributed to significant progress in several scientific disciplines, including fluvial geomorphology, Quaternary geology or palaeo-anthropology. Although it was originally developed to date buried alluvium in multi-level cave systems 25 years ago, merely ∼30 research papers focusing on deep cave environments worldwide, including the world-famous Mammoth Cave, have been published since then. It is all the more surprising considering that buried alluvium in multi-level cave systems perhaps is the most advantageous material to apply the 26Al/10Be dating method. This review manuscript aims to foster this approach given its demonstrated usefulness in reconstructing Late Cenozoic incision rates and fluvial landscape evolution in a wide variety of settings.The manuscript first provides the state-of-the-art knowledge on endokarstic sediments deposited in large, well-developed multi-level epigenic cave systems, which have formed in response to regional base-level changes over long periods of time (105–106 years), and how to date them. It then presents the basic principles of the burial dating method based on depleted 26Al/10Be ratios. The first key section thoroughly answers following questions: (i) why is this geochronological tool suitable to date endokarstic fluvial deposits? (ii) What kind of material can be sampled and where to collect it? (iii) What are the main analytical and geomorphological issues? (iv) How can potential drawbacks and biases be identified and, if possible, be avoided? (v) How can this approach be combined to other dating methods? The second key section shows how 26Al/10Be numerical age estimates from multi-level cave systems are used to infer long-term incision rates and to unravel their variation through time as well as the drivers of incision. Benefits of comparing this chronological information with that obtained on subaerial fluvial markers, i.e., alluvium-mantled terraces, are addressed. Insights provided by palaeo-denudation rates into fluvial landscape evolution are discussed as well. This contribution finally presents three opportunities to enhance cosmogenic burial dating of endokarstic deposits and delivers useful recommendations to fully benefit from this approach.
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