Volcanic record in Antarctic ice
REFERENCES
Volcanic
ash and associated aerosol layers in glacier ice offer a uniquely complete
record of explosive volcanism. Investigation of these layers, both in
bare ice areas of and in ice cores offers insight into eruptive processes,
local and regional ice flow processes, and the impact of eruptions on
global systems (climate and ozone depletion). The Antarctic ice sheet
is an ideal place to preserve a record of volcanic eruptions. The combination
of chemical fingerprinting of glass shards, and chemical analysis of volcanic
aerosols associated with tephra layers in Antarctic blue ice allows establishment
of a high-resolution chronology of local and distant volcanism that can
help understand patterns of significant explosive volcanism, atmospheric
loading, and climatic effects associated with volcanic eruptions. Correlation
of individual tephra layers, or sets of layers, in blue ice areas, which
have been identified in many places along the Transantarctic Mountains,
will allow the geometry of ice flow in these areas to be better understood.
Finally, identifiable tephra layers in the Siple Dome Project ice core
will be compared with a detailed well-dated and characterized record of
volcanism in Marie Byrd Land in order to provide unique time-stratigraphic
markers in the ice core record.
To see an image of blue ice, click here
To see an image of a tephra layer in cross-section, click here
Dunbar, N.W., Kyle, P.R., McIntosh, W.C., and Esser, R.P., 1995a. Geochemical composition and stratigraphy of tephra layers in Antarctic blue ice: Insights into glacial tephrochronology. VII International Symposium of Antarctic Earth Sciences, Siena, Italy. p. 115. ABSTRACT
Dunbar, N.W., Kyle, P.R., McIntosh, W.C., and Esser, R.P., 1995b. Tephra layers in blue ice, Allan Hills, Antarctica: A new source of glacial tephrochronological data. IUGG XXI General Assembly, Abstracts, P. A303. ABSTRACT
Dunbar, N.W., Kyle, P.R., McIntosh, W.C., and Esser, R.P., 1995c. Tephra layers in blue ice, Allan Hills, Antarctica: A new source of glacial tephrochronological data. Antarctic Journal, XXX, p.76-78
Harvey, R. P., N. W. Dunbar, W. C. McIntosh, P. R. Esser, K. Nishiizumi, and S. Taylor, 1998, A meteoritic event recorded in Antarctic Ice: Geology, v. 26, p. 607-610. ABSTRACT
Kyle, P.R., Dunbar, N.W., McIntosh, W.C., and Esser, R.P., 1995. The potential and application of tephrochronology in Antarctic blue ice areas. Volcanoes in the Quaternary Abstract Volume, Quaternary Research Association and Volcanic Studies Group Joint Meeting, Geological Society of London, 3-4 May, 1995.
LICHT, K.J., DUNBAR, N.W., JENNINGS, A.E., ANDREWS, J.T., 1997. Sedimentological evidence for the maximum extent of grounded ice in the western Ross Sea, Antarctica during the last glacial maximum. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull, 111, 91-103. ABSTRACT
Return to HOME
New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources
New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology
801 Leroy Place
Socorro, NM 87801-4796
information: (575) 835-5420
fax: (575) 835-6333
http://geoinfo.nmt.edu
The New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources is a research and service division of:
