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Determine the mode and timing of speleogenesis in southern Nevada caves to reconstruct regional water table decline and landscape evolution since the early Pleistocene.

August 16, 2026GeosphereOpen Access

Cave speleogenesis constrains landscape evolution and drainage integration in southern Nevada since 1.6 Ma

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Determine the mode and timing of speleogenesis in southern Nevada caves to reconstruct regional water table decline and landscape evolution since the early Pleistocene.
Geochemical, mineralogical, and observational analyses of subaqueous calcite speleothems and selenite crystals in King Solomon’s Cave and Morning Star Cave.
Uranium-lead (U/Pb) isochron dating of calcite scabbards and mammillary calcite formations.
Stable oxygen isotope (δ18O) thermometry to calculate source water temperatures during mineral precipitation.
U/Pb isochron dating yielded concordant ages of 1.61 ± 0.29 Ma for a calcite scabbard and 1.63 ± 0.26 Ma for mammillary calcite, placing the caves at or below the water table at ~1.6 Ma.
Stable oxygen isotope values indicate subaqueous calcite and selenite formation in geothermal waters with temperatures of ∼40 °C to 57 °C.
The position of subaqueous formations >190 m above the modern Muddy River demonstrates significant landscape incision, uplift, and water table decline during Colorado River drainage integration.

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Implication

Geochemical analysis reveals underwater speleothem formation at 1.6 Ma in southern Nevada caves, indicating substantial landscape uplift and drainage integration into the Colorado River.

Cite This Study

Lachniet et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8179cbf2fb91fc834ad1da https://doi.org/10.1130/ges02993.1

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Implication

Geochemical analysis reveals underwater speleothem formation at 1.6 Ma in southern Nevada caves, indicating substantial landscape uplift and drainage integration into the Colorado River.

Cave speleogenesis constrains landscape evolution and drainage integration in southern Nevada since 1.6 Ma

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Cave speleogenesis constrains landscape evolution and drainage integration in southern Nevada since 1.6 Ma

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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