Extending the tephra and palaeoenvironmental record of the Central Mediterranean back to 430 ka: A new core from Fucino Basin, central Italy

Abstract

Here we present the first tephrostratigraphic, palaeomagnetic, and multiproxy data from a new ~98 m-deep sediment core retrieved from the Fucino Basin, central Italy, spanning the last ~430 kyr. Palaeoenvironmental proxy data (Ca-XRF, gamma ray and magnetic susceptibility) show a cyclical variability related to interglacialglacial cycles since the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 12-MIS 11 transition. More than 130 tephra layers are visible to the naked eye, 11 of which were analysed (glass-WDS) and successfully correlated to known eruptions and/or other equivalent tephra. In addition to tephra already recognised in the previously investigated cores spanning the last 190 kyr, we identified for the first time tephra from the eruptions of: Tufo Giallo di Sacrofano, Sabatini (288.0 ± 2.0 ka); Villa Senni, Colli Albani (367.5 ± 1.6 ka); Pozzolane Nere and its precursor, Colli Albani (405.0 ± 2.0 ka, and 407.1 ± 4.2 ka, respectively); and Castel Broco, Vulsini (419-490 ka). The latter occurs at the bottom of the core and has been 40 Ar/ 39 Ar dated at 424.3 ± 3.2 ka, thus providing a robust chronological constrain for both the eruption itself and the base of the investigated succession. Direct 40 Ar/ 39 Ar dating and tephra geochemical fingerprinting provide a preliminary radioisotopic-based chronological framework for the MIS 11-MIS 7 interval, which represent a foundation for the forthcoming multiproxy studies and for investigating the remaining ~110 tephra layers that are recorded within this interval. Such future developments will be contribute towards an improved MIS 11-MIS 7 Mediterranean tephrostratigraphy, which is still poorly explored and

The Volsci Volcanic Field (central Italy): eruptive history, magma system and implications on continental subduction processes

“…Two distinct irradiations and analyses have been performed, as follows. Samples CA-C1, CA-CGT, MOS-2, ARN-1 and CLG were irradiated in the Cd-lined, in-core CLICIT facility of the Oregon State University TRIGA reactor and analyzed at the Berkeley Geochronology Center facility (BGC; California, USA), using a MAP 215-C mass spectrometer (MAP 1), following procedures described in Giaccio et al (2019). Samples GDR-1, GDR-5, SUP-1, POF-3, PAT-1B and PAT-5 were analyzed at the WiscAr Laboratory of University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA), using a Noblesse 5-collector mass spectrometer, following procedures described in Jicha et al (2016).…”

Chronostratigraphy of a 1.5±0.1 Ma composite sedimentary record from Colônia basin (SE Brazil): Bayesian modeling based on paleomagnetic, authigenic 10Be/9Be, radiocarbon and luminescence dating

“…For instance, the absence of recognized tephra layers within Colônia sediments prevents using a tephrochronology approach, nor absolute 40 Ar/ 39 Ar radiometric dating from the sedimentary sequence (e.g. Giaccio et al, 2019). The old age together with overall organic-rich and clayey sediments from Colônia basin do not permit using Uranium-series dating approach within the lacustrine unit (e.g.…”

Lake Ohrid’s tephrochronological dataset reveals 1.36 Ma of Mediterranean explosive volcanic activity

“…For new tephra layers (in bold italics) the supposed volcanic origin is given according to the CaO/FeO vs. Cl diagram by Giaccio, et al . 61 . Tephra layers with an * represent cryptotephra.…”