​This lecture is organised by the Irish Geological Association

Abstract

Volcanic ash (tephra) produced by explosive eruptions may be transported by wind and deposited thousands of kilometres from its source to form marker layers in time. These tephra layers may be used to link and to date geological, palaeo-ecological, palaeo-climatic, and archaeological sequences and events, including whether the transition from Neanderthals to anatomically modern human populations in Europe was driven by severe, volcanically induced, climatic cooling. More recently, tephra layers in sedimentary rocks have been used to reconstruct long-term changes in magma composition and volcanic eruption frequency, providing important insights into sub-volcanic magma reservoirs. This talk will examine some of the modern applications of tephra to answer both sedimentological and magmatic questions.

Coffee and biscuits will be available from 5:30 pm.  Lecture between 6.30pm and 7.30pm