Premium
Tephrochronology and the late Holocene volcanic and flood history of Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland
Author(s) -
DUGMORE ANDREW J.,
NEWTON ANTHONY J.,
SMITH KATE T.,
MAIRS KERRYANN
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of quaternary science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.142
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1099-1417
pISSN - 0267-8179
DOI - 10.1002/jqs.2608
Subject(s) - tephrochronology , tephra , volcano , geology , holocene , volcanic hazards , flood myth , icelandic , lahar , explosive eruption , physical geography , pyroclastic rock , archaeology , paleontology , geography , linguistics , philosophy
ABSTRACT The hugely disruptive Eyjafjallajökull eruptions of 2010 AD are well known, but the recent history of the volcano is not, which compromises both Icelandic and international hazard assessments and risk planning. This paper identifies and dates the floods caused by two flank eruptions (the c . 920 AD eruption of the Skerin ridge and 6–7th century AD activity around Miðtungugil) and clarifies understanding of c . 6th century AD central vent eruption. These specific contributions to volcanic history are used to illustrate applications of tephrochronology with widespread relevance: how to date eruptions that generate little tephra, better understand the flood hazards presented by glaciated, mountainous volcanoes and the relationship between long‐term patterns of activity in neighbouring volcanoes, in this case Eyjafjallajökull and its close (and much larger) neighbour, the volcano Katla. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.