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A catalogue of major and trace element data for Icelandic Holocene silicic tephra layers
Author(s) -
Meara RH. H.,
Thordarson TH.,
Pearce N. J. G.,
Hayward C.,
Larsen G.
Publication year - 2019
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.3173
Subject(s) - tephra , tephrochronology , geology , holocene , trace element , silicic , provenance , volcano , icelandic , silicic acid , earth science , geochemistry , paleontology , oceanography , physical geography , archaeology , geography , linguistics , philosophy
Tephra layers with Icelandic provenance have been identified across the North Atlantic region in terrestrial, lacustrine, marine and glacial environments. These tephra layers are used as marker horizons in tephrochronology including climate studies, archaeology and environmental change. The major element chemistries of 19 proximally deposited Holocene Icelandic silicic tephra layers confirm that individual volcanic systems have unique geochemical signatures and that eruptions from the same system can often be distinguished. In addition, glass trace element chemistry highlights subtle geochemical variations between tephra layers which appear to have identical major element chemistry and thus allows for the identification of some, if not all, tephra layers previously considered identical in composition. This paper catalogues the compositional variation between the widespread Holocene Icelandic silicic tephra deposits.