The Harkless Formation of southwest Nevada contains fascinating archaeocyathan reefs and records of biotic change, but there are limited constraints on its age. I set out to establish new maximum depositional ages for the upper Harkless Formation by dating zircons from two sandstone horizons in collaboration with Mark Schmitz at Boise State University. With his help, I was able to improve the maximum age of these beds. 

Perhaps more interestingly, we noticed that the two beds had different distributions of zircons. We are now in the process of unraveling these signals, comparing them to nearby formations and attempting to constrain sand sources. Stay tuned for the results!