A REVIEW OF TEPHROSTRATIGRAPHY IN CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN ITALY DURING THE LAST 65 KA

Abstract

This work presents an attempt at correlating tephra layers through different proxies in central and southern Italy over the last 65 ka. On the basis of the recent refinement of stratigraphy of some Italian volcanoes (mainly Somma-Vesuvius and Phlegrean Fields) and new lacustrine and marine cores (from Lago Grande di Monticchio and south Adriatic sea) 35 dated tephra layers among terrestrial, lacustrine and marine settings are correlated. These correlations supply a detailed and comprehensive chronostratigraphic scheme previously not available. In particular, 9 tephra layers were related to the Somma-Vesuvius, 16 to the Phlegrean Fields, 3 to Ischia, and 1 to Procida, Etna, Lipari, Salina, Pantelleria and Palinuro seamount explosive activity. One tephra layer has an uncertain source between Ischia Island and Phlegrean Fields. Finally, dispersal maps of selected tephra layers are shown.