Geochronology and geomorphology of the Jones Point glacial landform in Lower Hudson Valley (New York): Insight into deglaciation processes since the Last Glacial Maximum

Abstract

The glacial deposits at Jones Point, located on the western side of the lower Hudson River, New York, were investigated with geologic, geophysical, remote sensing and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating methods to build an interpretation of landform origin, formation and timing. OSL dates on eight samples of quartz sand, seven single-aliquot, and one single-grain of quartz yield an age range of 14–27 ka for the proglacial and glaciofluvial deposits at Jones Point. Optical age results suggest that Jones Point deposits largely predate the glacial Lake Albany drainage erosional flood episode in the Hudson River Valley ca. 15–13 ka. Based on this data, we conclude that this major erosional event mostly removed valley fill deposits, leaving elevated terraces during deglaciation at the end of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Our analysis supports the earlier 15 ka date for the flood occurrence and suggests that more recent overlying glaciofluvial deposits formed in the lee-side of the Jones Point promontory.