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A precisely‐dated lake‐level rise marked by diatomite formation in northeastern Ireland
Author(s) -
Plunkett G. M.,
Whitehouse N. J.,
Hall V. A.,
Brown D. M.,
Baillie M. G. L.
Publication year - 2004
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.816
Subject(s) - tephra , holocene , peat , geology , tephrochronology , floodplain , physical geography , northern ireland , isochron dating , archaeology , radiocarbon dating , volcano , oceanography , paleontology , geochemistry , geography , history , cartography , isochron , ethnology
Abstract The intercorrelation of palaeoclimate events from various studies is often hindered by a lack of precise chronological control. Tephra isochrons can overcome this problem by providing direct site linkages. This paper outlines a study of Holocene peat and diatomite deposits that accumulated within the floodplain of Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland. The Icelandic Hekla 4 tephra has been identified at the base of diatomite deposits at a number of sites and provides firm dating evidence for a widespread flooding event in the area at ca. 2300 BC . The evidence is consistent with other studies in Ireland and elsewhere for increased wetness at this time. The results demonstrate that the terrestrial deposits around Lough Neagh contain an important record of Holocene lake‐level change. Dendrochronological evidence from the Lough Neagh area provides additional information about lake‐level fluctuations over the past two millennia. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.