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Geochemical Variations In Peoria Loess Of Western Iowa Indicate Paleowinds Of Midcontinental North America During Last Glaciation, Daniel R. Muhs, E. Arthur Bettis Iii

United States Geological Survey: Staff Publications

Peoria Loess deposited in western Iowa during the last glacial maximum (LGM) shows distinct geochemical and particle-size variations as a function of both depth and distance east of the Missouri River. Geochemical and particle-size data indicate that Peoria Loess in western Iowa probably had two sources: the Missouri River valley, and a source that lay to the west of the Missouri River. Both sources indicate that LGM paleowinds in western Iowa had a strong westerly component, similar to interpretations of previous workers. A compilation of loess studies in Iowa and elsewhere indicates that westerlv winds were dominant during loess transport …