The Lateglacial to Early Holocene tephrochronological record from Esmeer, Drenthe, the Netherlands

Abstract

Tephrochronology is a powerful tool in geomorphological and climatological research, since volcanic deposits can function as time-parallel markers over large areas. This thesis presents the search for tephra layers in a Lateglacial – Early Holocene sediment sequence from lake Esmeer, the Netherlands. A targeted search is made for the 12.5 ka Laacher See Tephra, originating from the German Laacher See volcano, and the 12.1 ka Vedde Ash, originating from the Icelandic Katla volcano. Although some glass-like shards were observed at the target depths for Laacher See Tephra, no evidence is found for a positive correlation. At target Vedde Ash depths, a cryptotephra is found. Its major, minor, and trace element concentrations are established by the use of WDS-EPMA and LA-ICP-MS and resemble the well-established rhyolitic component of Vedde Ash. A pollen and LOI diagram of the sediment sequence of lake Esmeer provided an estimated deposition age in the mid Younger Dryas, allowing a correlation to Vedde Ash. The pollen diagram also allows a reconstruction of the paleoenvironment at the time of Vedde Ash deposits in the area around lake Esmeer.