The loess–palaeosol sequence of Batajnica (Vojvodina region, Serbia) is considered as one of the most complete and thickest terrestrial palaeoclimate archives for the Middle and Late Pleistocene. In order to achieve a numerical chronology for this profile, four sets of ages were obtained on 18 individual samples. Equivalent doses were determined using the SAR protocol on fine (4–11 μm) and coarse (63–90 μm) quartz fractions, as well as on polymineral fine grains by using two elevated temperature infrared stimulation methods, pIRIR290 and pIRIR225. We show that the upper age limit of coarse quartz OSL and polymineral pIRIR290 and pIRIR225 techniques is restricted to the Last Glacial/Interglacial cycle due to the field saturation of the natural signals. Luminescence ages on coarse quartz, pIRIR225 and pIRIR290 polymineral fine grains are in general agreement. Fine quartz ages are systematically lower than the coarse quartz and pIRIR ages, the degree of underestimation increasing with age. Comparison between natural and laboratory dose response curves indicate the age range over which each protocol provides reliable ages. For fine and coarse quartz, the natural and laboratory dose response curves overlap up to ~150 and ~250 Gy, respectively, suggesting that the SAR protocol provides reliable ages up to c. 50 ka on fine quartz and c. 100 ka on coarse quartz. Using the pIRIR225 and pIRIR290 protocols, equivalent doses up to ~400 Gy can be determined, beyond which in the case of the former the natural dose response curve slightly overestimates the laboratory dose response curve. Our results suggest that the choice of the mineral and luminescence technique to be used for dating loess sediments should take into consideration the reported limited reliability.

Abstract. Gully formation has been associated to groundwater seepage in unconsolidated sand- to gravel-sized sediments. Our understanding of gully evolution by groundwater seepage mostly relies on experiments and numerical simulations, and these rarely take into consideration contrasts in lithology and permeability. In addition, process-based observations and detailed instrumental analyses are rare. As a result, we have a poor understanding of the temporal scale of gully formation by groundwater seepage and the influence of geological heterogeneity on their formation. This is particularly the case for coastal gullies, where the role of groundwater in their formation and evolution has rarely been assessed. We address these knowledge gaps along the Canterbury coast of the South Island (New Zealand) by integrating field observations, luminescence dating, multi-temporal unoccupied aerial vehicle and satellite data, time domain electromagnetic data and slope stability modelling. We show that gully formation is a key process shaping the sandy gravel cliffs of the Canterbury coastline. It is an episodic process associated to groundwater flow that occurs once every 227 d on average, when rainfall intensities exceed 40 mm d−1. The majority of the gullies in a study area southeast (SE) of Ashburton have undergone erosion, predominantly by elongation, during the last 11 years, with the most recent episode occurring 3 years ago. Gullies longer than 200 m are relict features formed by higher groundwater flow and surface erosion > 2 ka ago. Gullies can form at rates of up to 30 m d−1 via two processes, namely the formation of alcoves and tunnels by groundwater seepage, followed by retrogressive slope failure due to undermining and a decrease in shear strength driven by excess pore pressure development. The location of gullies is determined by the occurrence of hydraulically conductive zones, such as relict braided river channels and possibly tunnels, and of sand lenses exposed across sandy gravel cliffs. We also show that the gully planform shape is generally geometrically similar at consecutive stages of evolution. These outcomes will facilitate the reconstruction and prediction of a prevalent erosive process and overlooked geohazard along the Canterbury coastline.

Abstract. Box canyon formation has been associated to groundwater seepage in unconsolidated sand to gravel sized sediments. Our understanding of box canyon evolution mostly relies on experiments and numerical simulations, and these rarely take into consideration contrasts in lithology and permeability. In addition, process-based observations and detailed instrumental analyses are rare. As a result, we have a poor understanding of the temporal scale of box canyon formation and the influence of geological heterogeneity on their formation. We address these issues along the Canterbury coast of the South Island (New Zealand) by integrating field observations, optically stimulated luminescence dating, multi-temporal Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and satellite data, time-domain electromagnetic data, and slope stability and landscape evolution modelling. We show that box canyon formation is a key process shaping the sandy gravel cliffs of the Canterbury coastline. It is an episodic process associated to groundwater flow that occurs once every 227 days on average, when rainfall intensities exceed 40 mm per day. The majority of the box canyons in a study area SE of Ashburton has undergone erosion, predominantly by elongation, during the last 11 years, with the most recent episode occurring 3 years ago. The two largest box canyons have not been eroded in the last 2 ka, however. Canyons can form at rates of up to 30 m per day via two processes: the formation of alcoves and tunnels by groundwater seepage, followed by retrogressive slope failure due to undermining and a decrease in shear strength driven by excess pore pressure development. The location of box canyons is determined by the occurrence of hydraulically-conductive zones, such as relict braided river channels and possibly tunnels, and of sand lenses exposed across sandy gravel cliff. We also show that box canyon formation is best represented by a linear diffusive model and geometrical scaling.

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The applicability of the single-aliquot regenerative-dose (SAR) protocol, by using the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) signal of quartz as well as the post-infrared–infrared (pIRIR) signals of polymineral fine grains, namely pIRIR225 and pIRIR290, was assessed for dating loess in New Zealand South Island. OSL signals of quartz grains displayed low sensitivity. However, the application of repeated irradiation/bleaching cycles did not result in an increase in sensitivity; annealing in the 300–500°C temperature range generated the sensitisation of both the 110°C thermoluminescence (TL) peak as well as the OSL signal, likely by activation of yet unidentified luminescence centres. After heating, the quartz signal is comparable to that of ideal samples, but the annealing is precluding successful dating. On the other hand, feldspar infrared-stimulated signals displayed satisfactory properties, allowing estimation of ages ranging from 14 ± 1–29 ± 3 ka for the investigated deposit. It was shown that pIRIR225 and pIRIR290 methods have potential for dating loess in the South Island of New Zealand, based on the following observations: (i) Dose recovery tests were successful with recovered-to-given dose ratios with a <10% deviation from unity, (ii) constant residual values of about 4 Gy and about 10 Gy were obtained after exposures for 48 h in the case of pIRIR225 signals and 96 h in the case of pIRIR290 signals, respectively, (iii) while a slight dose-dependence of the residual was reported, and for a dose as large as 1600 Gy the residual values are ≅9 Gy and ≅19 Gy for pIRIR225 and pIRIR290 signals, respectively.

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