A Cryptotephra Layer in Sediments of an Infilled Maar Lake from the Eifel (Germany): First Evidence of Campanian Ignimbrite Ash Airfall in Central Europe

• DOI: 10.20944/preprints202312.1783.v1
• Publication Date: 2023-12-26T05:35:47Z
• Authors: Fiona Schenk; Ulrich Hambach; Sarah Britzius; Daniel Veres; Frank Sirocko
• Keywords: Maar; Chronology; Volcanic ash

We analyzed mineralogical characteristics, and major as well rare earth element concentrations from a cryptotephra layer in sediments of the infilled maar Auel (Eifel, Germany). The results detailed geochemical analyses clinopyroxenes their glassy rim specific are most similar to those Campanian Ignimbrite (CI) Tephra occurrence loess section at Urluia (Romania). Both records show idiomorphic green formation twisted minerals up millimeter scale. core has an age around 39,940 yr b2k ELSA-20 chronology, almost identical latest Ar/Ar dates for Ignimbrite/Y5 eruption. These observations suggest that parts CI ash cloud were transported also northwestward into Central Europe, whereas main branch plume was southern Italy towards NE, E SE.