Aranuian vegetation history of the Arrowsmith Range, Canterbury II. Revised chronology for moraines of the Cameron Glacier

Abstract

The chronology for the younger Marquee and Arrowsmith moraine sets of the Cameron Glacier is revised. This is done by using new lichen growth curves for Rhizocarpon geographicum and R. candidum, developed for moraines of the Mueller Glacier at Mount Cook and calibrated with ages determined from rock weathering rind thicknesses. A new rock weathering rind curve was established for this purpose. The new lichenometric dates (greatest age estimated by either lichen, years B.P.) for the Cameron Glacier moraines are: Arrowsmith set: A1 c.170|A2 c.410|A2b c.480|A3 c.1010;A4 c. 1480|A5 c. 1960|Younger Marquee set: B1 c. 2320|B2 c. 3080|B3 c. 4480|B4 c. 5390. The kinds of vegetation and soils on the morainic time series are briefly indicated.