Ice record of a large eruption of Deception Island Volcano (Antarctica) in the XVIITH century

A well-marked volcanic ash layer was found at 145.9 m depth in a 154.3 m ice core recovered in 1981 on James Ross Island, Antarctic Peninsula. Ash composition analysis indicates that we are dealing with an eruption of the Deception Island volcano located some 200 km northwestward from James Ross Island. Regional lake sediments seem also to have recorded the eruption. Its date (some 350 years ago) has been determined precisely by comparison with a well-dated South Pole Station ice core. The strength and regional to global impact of the event are discussed. It is concluded it was most probably the largest eruption of this volcano over the studied time period. This exceptional layer was used to adjust the dating of the core. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.