Thermoluminescence dating of late Quaternary dune sand, Manawatu/Horowhenua area, New Zealand: A comparison with ¹⁴ C age determinations

Samples of dune sand from two previously described sections in the southwestern North Island have been dated by the thermoluminescence method. At the first site, Koputaroa Phase dune sand immediately underlying Aokautere Ash (= Oruanui Ash 14 C dated at c. 22 590 yr B.P.) was dated at 24 200 ± 3700 yr. At the second site, Holocene dune sand was dated at 3000 ± 500 yr. Factors influencing the error limits of the thermoluminescence dates are discussed. The results confirm that coastal dunes were migrating inland during the last stadial of the Otira Glaciation and indicate that the thermoluminescence method could usefully be applied in the dating of upper Quaternary deposits in this region.