Connecting with tephras: principles, functioning, and applications of tephrochronology in Quaternary science

Lowe, David J.

Connecting with tephras: principles, functioning, and applications of tephrochronology in Quaternary science

dc.contributor.author	Lowe, David J.
dc.coverage.spatial	Conference held at National Isotope Centre, GNS Science, Lower Hutt, Wellington	en_NZ
dc.date.accessioned	2013-09-05T02:56:24Z
dc.date.available	2013-09-05T02:56:24Z
dc.date.issued	2013
dc.description.abstract	Tephrochronology is a unique method for linking and dating geological, palaeoecological, palaeoclimatic, or archaeological sequences or events. The method relies firstly on stratigraphy and the law of superposition, which apply in any study that connects or correlates deposits from one place to another. Secondly, it relies on characterising and hence identifying or ‘fingerprinting’ tephra layers using either physical properties evident in the field or those obtained from laboratory analysis, including mineralogical examination by optical microscopy or geochemical analysis of glass shards or crystals (e.g., Fe-Ti oxides, ferromagnesian minerals) using the electron microprobe and other tools. Thirdly, the method is enhanced when a numerical age is obtained for a tephra layer by (1) radiometric methods such as radiocarbon, fission-track, U-series, or Ar/Ar dating, (2) incremental dating methods including dendrochronology or varved sediments or layering in ice cores, or (3) age-equivalent methods such as palaeomagnetism or correlation with marine oxygen isotope stages or palynostratigraphy. Once known, that age can be transferred from one site to the next using stratigraphic methods and by matching compositional characteristics, i.e., comparing ‘fingerprints’ from each layer. Used this way, tephrochronology is an age-equivalent dating method.	en_NZ
dc.format.mimetype	application/pdf
dc.identifier.citation	Lowe, D. J. (2013). Connecting with tephras: principles, functioning, and applications of tephrochronology in Quaternary science. In: Prior, C., Rogers, K., Vandergoes, M. (eds), 10th Quaternary Techniques Short Course, Techniques of Palaeoclimatic and Palaeoenvironmental Reconstruction. National Isotope Centre, GNS Science, Lower Hutt (16-17 May), pp.1-28.	en_NZ
dc.identifier.uri	https://hdl.handle.net/10289/7971
dc.language.iso	en	en_NZ
dc.rights	© 2013 the author.
dc.source	10th Quaternary Techniques Short Course. Techniques of Palaeoclimatic and Palaeoenvironmental Reconstruction	en_NZ
dc.title	Connecting with tephras: principles, functioning, and applications of tephrochronology in Quaternary science	en_NZ
dc.type	Conference Contribution	en_NZ
pubs.elements-id	22908
pubs.finish-date	2013-05-17	en_NZ
pubs.start-date	2013-05-16	en_NZ