Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-t5tsf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-02T19:21:24.422Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The Age, Origin, and Volcanological Significance of the Y-5 Ash Layer in the Mediterranean

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Robert Thunell
Affiliation:
Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881
Alan Federman
Affiliation:
Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881
Stephen Sparks
Affiliation:
Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881
Douglas Williams
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208

Abstract

The Y-5 ash is the most widespread layer in deep-sea sediments from the eastern Mediterranean. This ash layer was previously correlated with the Citara-Serrara tuff on Ischia Island and dated at approximately 25,000 yr B.P. New data on the glass chemistry of the Y-5 ash and pyroclastic deposits from the Neopolitan volcanic province suggest that the layer is correlative with the large-volume Campanian ignimbrite and not with the deposit from Ischia Island. The volume of the Y-5 ash is approximately 65 km3 which is comparable in magnitude to the volume of the Campanian ignimbrite. An interpolated age of approximately 38,000 yr B.P. is estimated based on sedimentation rates derived from δ18O stratigraphy. There is a discrepancy between this estimate and previously reported radiocarbon ages which range from 24,000 to 35,000 yr B.P. We propose that the “Campanian tuff ash layer” should be adopted as the full stratigraphic name for the Y-5 ash. The deep-sea ash layer is divisible into two units in proximal localities, probably correlating with two major phases of the eruption: plinian and ignimbrite.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
University of Washington

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Appleton, J.D., (1972). Petrogenesis of potassium-rich lavas from the Roccamonfina Volcano, Roman Region, Italy. Journal of Petrology. 10, 425-456.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Barberi, F., Innocenti, F., Ferrara, G., Keller, J., Villari, L., (1974). Evolution of Eolian Arc volcanism (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea). Earth and Planet. Science Letters. 21, 269-276.Google Scholar
Barberi, F., Innocenti, F., Lirer, L., Munno, R., Pescatore, T., Santacroce, R., (1978). The Campanian Ignimbrite: A major prehistoric eruption in the Naples area (Italy). Bulletin Volcanologique. in press.Google Scholar
Bence, A.E., Albee, A.L., (1968). Empirical correction factors for electron microanalysis of silicates and oxides. Journal of Geology. 76, 382-403.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Borchardt, G.A., Harward, M.E., Schmitt, R.A., (1971). Correlation of volcanic ash deposits by activation analysis of glass separates. Quaternary Research. 1, 247-260.Google Scholar
Broecker, W.S., van Donk, J., (1970). Insolation changes, ice volumes, and the O18 record in deep-sea cores. Reviews of Geophysics and Space Physics. 8, 169-198.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Capaldi, G., Civetta, L., Gasparini, P., (1977). Volcanic history of the Island of Ischia (South Italy). Bulletin Volcanologique. 40, 11-22.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cita, M.B., Vergnaud-Grazzini, C., Robert, C., Chamley, H., Ciaranfi, N., d'Onofrio, S., (1977). Paleoclimatic record of a long deep-sea core from the eastern Mediterranean. Quaternary Research. 8, 205-235.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Di Girolamo, P., Keller, J., (1972). Zur Stellung des grauen Campanischen Tuffs, innerhalb des quartären Vulkanismus Campaniens (Sud Italien). Berichte der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft zu Freiburg im Breisgau. 61/62, 85-92.Google Scholar
Di Girolamo, P., Rolandi, G., Stanzione, D., (1973). L'eruzione di pomici a letto dell'ignimbrite Compana. Periodico di Mineralogia. 42, 436-438.Google Scholar
Dominik, J., Mangini, A., (1978). Mediterranean Ridge: Climatic control of the sedimentation rate from results of the Io-method. Abstracts, Tenth International Congress on Sedimentology. Jerusalem 181-182.Google Scholar
Doumas, C., (1974). The Minoan eruption of Santorini Volcano. Antiquity. 48, 110-115.Google Scholar
Emiliani, C., (1955). Pleistocene temperature variations in the Mediterranean. Quaternaria. 3, 87-98.Google Scholar
Emiliani, C., (1966). Paleotemperature analysis of Caribbean cores P-6304-8 and P-6304-9 and a generalized temperature curve for the past 425,000 years. Journal of Geology. 74, 109-124.Google Scholar
Emiliani, C., (1971). The last interglacial. Paleotemperatures and chronology. Science. 171, 571-573.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Emiliani, C., Shackleton, N.J., (1974). The Brunhes Epoch: Paleotemperatures and geochronology. Science. 183, 511-514.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Epstein, S., Buchsbaum, R., Lowenstem, H.A., Urey, H.C., (1953). Revised carbonatewater isotopic temperature scale. Geological Society of America Bulletin. 64, 1315-1326.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Farrand, W.R., (1977). Occurrence and age of Ischia Tephra in Franchthi Cave, Peloponnesos, Greece. Abstracts with Programs. 9, Geological Society of America, 971.Google Scholar
Federman, A., (1978). Abyssal Tephra Layers in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Scotia Sea. M.S. thesis. University of Rhode Island. Google Scholar
Galanopoulos, A.G., (1958). Zur Bestimmung des Alters der Santorin-Kaldera. Annales Geologiques des Pays Helleniques. 9, 185-188.Google Scholar
Grindley, G.W., (1974). Relation of volcanism to earth movements, Bay of Naples, Italy. IAVCEI Symposium, Inter. de Volcan.. Santiago, Chile .Google Scholar
Gunther, D., Pichler, H., (1973). Die Obere und Untere Bimssteinfolge auf Santorini. N. Jb. Geol. Palaont.. 394-415.Google Scholar
Herman, Y., (1972). Quaternary eastern Mediterranean sediments: Micropaleontology and climatic record. Stanley, D.J., The Mediterranean Sea. Dowden, Hutchinson and Ross, Stroudsburg, Pa, 129-147.Google Scholar
Keller, J., (1971). The major volcanic events in recent eastern Mediterranean volcanism and their bearing on the problem of Santorini ash-layers. Acta, 1st International Scientific Congress on the Volcano Thera. Greece, 1969 Greek Archeological Service, 152-167.Google Scholar
Keller, J., Ninkovich, D., (1972). Tephralagen in der Agais. Zeitschrift der Deutschenogischen Geol. Gesellschaft. 123, 579-587.Google Scholar
Keller, J., Ryan, W.B.F., Ninkovich, D., Altherr, R., (1978). Explosive volcanic activity in the Mediterranean over the past 200,000 yr as recorded in deep-sea sediments. Bulletin of the Geological Society of America. 89, 591-604.2.0.CO;2>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lineweaver, J.L., (1963). Oxygen outgassing caused by electron bombardment of glass. Journal of Applied Physics. 34, 1786-1794.Google Scholar
Maldonado, A., Stanley, D.J., (1977). Lithofacies as a function of depth in the Stait of Sicily. Geology. 5, 111-117.Google Scholar
Marinatos, S., (1939). The volcanic destruction of Minoan Crete. Antiquity. 13, 425-439.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Marinelli, G., Mittenpergher, M., (1966). On the Gensis of some magmas of typical Mediterranean (Potassic) suite. Bulletin Volcanologique. 29, 113-140.Google Scholar
McCoy, F., (1974). Late Quaternary sedimentation in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Ph.D. thesis. Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. Google Scholar
Mellis, O., (1954). Volcanic ash-horizons in deep-sea sediments from the eastern Mediterranean. Deep-Sea Research. 2, 89-92.Google Scholar
Ninkovich, D., Heezen, B.C., (1965). Santorini tephra. Submarine Geology and Geophysics. 413-453 Colston Research Society Symposium. 17th Proceedings, Bristol.Google Scholar
Ninkovich, D., Heezen, B.C., (1967). Physical and chemical properties of volcanic glass shards from Pozzolana ash, Thera Island, and from upper and lower ash layers in eastern Mediterranean deep-sea cores. Nature (London). 213, 582-584.Google Scholar
Ninkovich, D., Hays, J.D., (1971). Tectonic setting of Mediterranean volcanoes. Acta, International Scientific Congress on the Volcano Thera. Greece, 1969 Greek Archeological Service, 111-135.Google Scholar
Olsson, E.A., Broecker, W.S., (1959). Lamont natural radiocarbon measurements VII. American Journal of Science, Radiocarbon Supplement. 3, 141.Google Scholar
Pichler, H., Friedrich, W., (1976). Radiocarbon dates of Santorini volcanics. Nature (London). 262, 373-374.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Richardson, D., Ninkovich, D., (1976). Use of K2O, Rd, Zr, and Y versus SiO2 in volcanic ash layers of the eastern Mediterranean to trace their source. Bulletin of the Geological Society of America. 87, 110-116.2.0.CO;2>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ryan, W.B.F., (1972). Stratigraphy of late Quaternary sediments in the eastern Mediterranean. Stanley, D.J., The Mediterranean Sea. Dowden, Hutchinson, and Ross, Stroudsburg, Pa, 149-169.Google Scholar
Sarnthein, M., Bartolini, C., (1973). Grain size studies on turbidity components from Tyrrenhian deep-sea cores. Sedimentology. 20, 425-436.Google Scholar
Shackleton, N.J., (1974). Attainment of isotopic equilibrium between ocean water and the benthonic foraminifera genus Uvigerina: Isotopic changes in the ocean during the last glacial. Colloques Internationaux du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. 219, 203-209.Google Scholar
Shackleton, N.J., Opdyke, N.D., (1973). Oxygen isotope and paleomagnetic stratigraphy of equatorial Pacific core V28–238: Oxygen isotope temperatures and ice volumes on a 105 and 106 year scale . Quaternary Research. 3, 39-55.Google Scholar
Shackleton, N.J., Opdyke, N.D., (1976). Oxygen isotope and paleomagnetic stratigraphy of Pacific core V28–239: Late Pliocene to Latest Pleistocene. Investigations of Late Quaternary Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology. Cline, R.M., Hays, J.D., Geological Society of America, Memoir. 145, 449-464.Google Scholar
Smith, R.L., (1960). Ash flows. Bulletin of the Geological Society of America. 71, 795-842.Google Scholar
Smith, R.L., Bailey, R.A., (1966). The Bandelier Tuff, a study of ash-flow eruption cycles from zoned magma chambers. Bulletin Volcanologique. 29, 83-104.Google Scholar
Sparks, R.S.J., (1975). Stratigraphy and geology of the ignimbrite of Vulsini Volcano, Central Italy. Geologische Rundschau. 64, 497-523.Google Scholar
Sparks, R.S.J., (1976). Grain size variations in ignimbrites and implications for the transport of pyroclastic flows. Sedimentology. 23, 147-188.Google Scholar
Sparks , R. S. J., and Huang , T. C., The significance of bimodal grain size distribution and multiple layering in two deep-sea ash layers associated with ignimbrite. Geology, in press..Google Scholar
Sparks, R.S.J., Self, S., Walker, G.P.L., (1973). The products of ignimbrite eruptions. Geology. 4, 115-118.Google Scholar
Sparks, R.S.J., Walker, G.P.L., (1977). The significance of vitric-enriched air-fall ashes associated with crystal-enriched ignimbrites. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research. 2, 329-341.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stanley, D.J., Maldonado, A., (1977). Nile Cone: Late Quaternary stratigraphy and sediment dispersal. Nature (London). 266, 129-135.Google Scholar
Stanley, D.J., Knight, R.J., Stuckenrath, R., Catani, G., (1978). High sedimentation rates and variable dispersal patterns in the western Hellenic Trench. Nature (London). 273, 110-113.Google Scholar
Thunell, R.C., Williams, D.F., Kennett, J.P., 1977a. Late Quaternary paleoclimatology, stratigraphy and sapropel history in eastern Mediterranean deep-sea sediments. Marine Micropaleontology. 2, 371-388.Google Scholar
Thunell, R.C., Williams, D.F., Federman, A.N., Sparks, S.R., 1977b. Late Quaternary tephrochronology of eastern Mediterranean sediments based on oxygen isotope stratigraphy. Abstracts with Programs. 9, Geological Society of America, 1200.Google Scholar
Vergnaud-Grazzini, C., (1975). O18 changes in foraminifera carbonates during the last 105 years in the Mediterranean Sea. Science. 190, 272-274.Google Scholar
Vergnaud-Grazzini, C., Rosenberg, H.Y., (1969). Etude paleoclimatique d'une carotte de Mediterranee orientale. Revue de Geographie Physique et de Geologie Dynamique. 11, 279-292.Google Scholar
Vergnaud-Grazzini, C., Ryan, W.B.F., Cita, M.B., (1977). Stable isotopic fractionation, climate change and episodic stagnation in the eastern Mediterranean during the last Quaternary. Marine Micropaleontology. 2, 353-370.Google Scholar
Watkins, N.D., Sparks, R.S.J., Sigurdsson, H., Huang, T.C., Federman, A., Carey, S., Ninkovich, D., (1978). Volume and extent of the Minoan tephra from Santorini Volcano: New evidence from deep-sea sediment cores. Nature (London). 271, 122-126.Google Scholar