Table 2
VML-based mapping units and morphostratigraphic characteristics of alluvial fan deposits in Death Valley and their
comparison with other previously used mapping units in the study region
                   
Mapping Oldest LU VML-based Referred general Characteristics of alluvial fan Bull (1991) Dorn (1988)
unit observed age (ka) climatic condition morphostratigraphy Fan unit (ka) Fan unit (ka)
                   
Qu1 LU-1 0 - 12 drier/arid Active channel deposits; or deposits in recently Q3 - Q4 0 - 12 Q3b 0 - 9.5
   abandoned channels and at fantoe
Qu2 LU-2 12 - 18a wetter/semiarid Bar-and-swale topography; occasionally with  Q2c 12 - 70 Q3a 14 - 50
   incipient development of desert pavement
Qu3 LU-3 18 - 24 transitional Reworked fan surfaces of Qu4 or older; Q2c 12 - 70 Q3a 14 - 50
   little development of desert pavement
Qu4 LU-4 24 - 74 wetter/semiarid Best-developed pavement with incipient Q2c 12 - 70 Q3a 14 - 50
   drainage systems; no petrocalcic horizon
Qu5 LU-5 74 - 128 drier/arid Smooth well-developed pavement with a Q2b 70 - 200 Q2b 105 - 130
   petrocalcic horizon
Qu6 LU-6 128 - 190 wetter/semiarid Dissected smooth pavement; well-developed Q2b 70 - 200 Q2a 140 - 170
   petrocalcic horizon; often inset within Qu7
Qu7 LU-7 190 - 245 drier/arid Dissected pavement; well-developed petrocalcic Q2b 70 - 200 Q1b 490 - 600
   horizon; often inset into Qu8
Qu8 LU-8 245 - 303 wetter/semiarid Ridge-and-ravine (ballena) topography; petro- Q2a 400 - 730 Q1a 650 - 800
   calcic rubble easily visible on fan surfaces
Qu8+ > 303 Ridge-and-ravine topography; remains of oldest Q2a 400 - 730 Q1a 650 - 800
   fan deposits perched on bedrock at fanhead
                   
a The lower boundary of varnish layering unit LU-2 is likely around 18 ka (Liu, unpublished data).