Geochemistry and Origin of Pliocene and Pleistocene Ash Layers from the Iceland Plateau, Site 907 (original) (raw)

The upper 90 m of sediments from Ocean Drilling Program Leg 151 Site 907 on the Iceland Plateau contain numerous wellpreserved volcanic ash layers that provide an excellent record of the source and timing of major Pliocene and Pleistocene explosive eruptions that have occurred in this region. A total of 23 tephra layers and six ash zones were analyzed for major and trace element chemistry and grain size characteristics. Relative ages of the tephra layers were estimated based on paleomagnetic and oxygen isotope stratigraphy. Thicknesses of the ash layers range from less than 1 to 18 cm. It is inferred on the basis of their sorting coefficient and grain size that the majority of the tephra layers are the result of ash fallout from large explosive eruptions. Most of the tephra layers are crystal-poor, with less than 10% total crystal content. Colorless shards dominate over sideromelane (brown glass) and tachylite. Platy bubble wall shards represent the dominant morphological type of glass, with minor amounts of pumice and vesicular shards.