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Cliff-Top Dunes in the Lower Chippewa River Valley of West- Central Wisconsin

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Cliff-Top Dunes in the Lower Chippewa River Valley of West- Central Wisconsin Minnesota State University, Mankato Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato All Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects Projects 2019 Cliff-Top Dunes in the Lower Chippewa River Valley of West- Central Wisconsin Jason Millett Minnesota State University, Mankato Follow this and additional works at: https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/etds Part of the Geomorphology Commons, and the Physical and Environmental Geography Commons Recommended Citation Millett, J. (2019). Cliff-top dunes in the Lower Chippewa River Valley of West-Central Wisconsin [Master’s thesis, Minnesota State University, Mankato]. Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato. https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/etds/912/ This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects at Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects by an authorized administrator of Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato. Cliff-Top Dunes in the Lower Chippewa River Valley of West-Central Wisconsin By Jason Millett A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science In Geography Minnesota State University, Mankato Mankato, Minnesota March, 2019 March 29th, 2019 Cliff-Top Dunes in the Lower Chippewa River Valley of West-Central Wisconsin Jason Millett This thesis has been examined and approved by the following members of the student’s committee. ________________________________ Dr. Phil Larson (Chairperson) ________________________________ Dr. Ron Schirmer ________________________________ Dr. Doug Faulkner ________________________________ Dr. Garry Running i Acknowledgements I would like to thank the families of Mary Dooley and James Goff for providing the grants that funded my research. I would also like to thank the land owners who allowed me to conduct research on their property. I finally wish to thank my advisor and committee members for their guidance. ii Abstract The purpose of this Master’s thesis is to investigate recently identified cliff-top sand dunes located within the Lower Chippewa River Valley (LCRV), Wisconsin, USA. Research within the LCRV notes the existence of a variety of aeolian deposits, but a comprehensive explanation of their complete spatial distribution, genesis, age, and paleoenvironmental significance does not exist. In particular, stabilized cliff-top dunes with a parabolic form remain poorly understood. This problem is exacerbated by a lack of clarity in the literature regarding the genesis of dunes in a cliff-top position. Therefore, this thesis begins by reviewing the literature concerning sand dunes in cliff-top position in order to clearly define and describe the cliff-top parabolic dune form within the various physical geographies it has been observed. A diagnostic classification scheme and formation models for cliff-top dune types are presented and based upon the landscape assemblage and geomorphic systems in which they are found. The classification scheme and formation models are then applied to cliff-top dunes along the LCRV to understand their origin, geomorphic, and paleoenvironmental significance in this actively evolving landscape. These cliff-top dunes exist in positions immediately adjacent to and above the highest fluvial terrace scarps in the LCRV. Other parabolic dunes are removed from cliff- top position and cover glacial outwash plains flanking the Chippewa River. However, the cliff-top dunes exhibit different morphologies, orientations, and ages compared to other aeolian deposits recently identified. Therefore, the results of this investigation indicate cliff-top dunes in the LCRV have a genesis involving complex fluvial-aeolian processes that occurred throughout the Holocene. iii Table of Contents Chapter 1 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Aeolian Landscapes ................................................................................................................ 1 1.3 Parabolic Dunes ...................................................................................................................... 2 1.4 Cliff-Top Dunes ........................................................................................................................ 6 1.5 Study Area: Lower Chippewa River Valley ........................................................................ 13 1.5.1 Geomorphic Setting of the Chippewa River Valley .............................................................. 14 1.5.2 LCRV Paleoenvironmental Conditions ................................................................................. 16 1.6 Conclusion and Research Questions .................................................................................... 17 Chapter 2 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 19 2.1.1 Disjointed Cliff-Top Dune Research ..................................................................................... 19 2.1.2 Objectives .............................................................................................................................. 21 2.2 Topoclimatology and Cliff-Top Dunes ................................................................................. 21 2.3 Diagnostic Classification Methodology ................................................................................ 24 2.4 Coastal Cliff-Top Dunes ........................................................................................................ 26 2.4.1 Coastal Cliff-Top Dune Research ......................................................................................... 27 2.4.1.1 Coastal Normal Model ....................................................................................................... 31 2.4.1.2 Coastal Hybrid Model ........................................................................................................ 33 2.5 Terrestrial Cliff-Top Dunes .................................................................................................. 37 2.5.1 Terrestrial Normal Cliff-Top Dune Research ....................................................................... 38 2.5.1.1 Terrestrial Normal Cliff-Top Dune Model ........................................................................ 41 2.5.2 Terrestrial Fluvial Cliff-Top Dune Research ........................................................................ 42 2.5.2.1 Terrestrial Fluvial Cliff-Top Dune Model ......................................................................... 45 2.6 Lower Chippewa River Valley Case Study .......................................................................... 46 2.6.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 46 2.6.2 Methods ................................................................................................................................. 49 2.6.2.1 Grain Size Analysis ........................................................................................................... 49 2.6.2.2 LiDAR Morphological Analysis ....................................................................................... 49 2.6.2.3 Luminescence Dating ......................................................................................................... 50 2.6.3 Results ....................................................................................................................... 53 2.6.3.1 Grain Size Analysis ........................................................................................................... 53 2.6.3.2 LiDAR Morphological Analysis ....................................................................................... 54 iv 2.6.3.3 Luminescence Dating ......................................................................................................... 56 2.6.4 Discussion ................................................................................................................. 58 2.6.4.1 Grain Size Analysis ........................................................................................................... 58 2.6.4.2 LiDAR Morphological Analysis ....................................................................................... 58 2.6.4.3 Luminescence Analysis and Kiwanis Site Dune Classification ......................................... 59 2.6.4.4 Contradictions to the Cliff-Top Dune Formation Model .................................................. 59 2.6.4.5 Limitations to Present Day Aeolian Transport .................................................................. 60 2.6.4.6 Investigation of Increased Aridity in the LCRV ................................................................ 62 2.6.4.7 Holocene Aridity ................................................................................................................ 64 2.6.4.7.1 Mid-Holocene Warm Period ........................................................................................... 65 2.6.4.7.2 Medieval Climatic Anomaly ...........................................................................................
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