2026/01/01 by Tara K. Lonsdorf, Nathan A. Niemi, Daeun Lee +1 · 1 voice
paper · doi:10.7302/eb9x-wk11
openalex publication_date 2026/01/01 · openalex created_date 2026/04/30 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/14
Paleoaltimetry studies leverage the sensitivity of precipitation to mass-dependent isotope (δ18O, δD) fractionation along elevation transects, in order to reconstruct elevations of mountain ranges within the geologic past (Dansgaard, 1964). The relationship between isotopic composition and altitude is known as the isotopic lapse rate (‰/km). To best apply paleoaltimetry to the geologic record, the relationship between isotopic composition and altitude is calibrated by empirical observations of modern natural waters, which provide insights into how the isotopic lapse rate may be modulated by factors such as topography and climate (e.g. Chamberlain and Poage, 2000; Lechler and Niemi, 2012). This study reports new measurements of isotopes (δ18O, δD) from fifteen waters across the southwestern USA, in order to supplement the availability of data for drawing conclusions related to the topographic and climatic controls on surface water isotopes in the region.