Searches by date

Two types of query are available from here. The first allows searches to be made on the historical dates of eruptions and tephra layers, which cover the last 1100 years of volcanic activity in Iceland. The second type of search involves searching for radiocarbon dated tephra layers.

Historical dated searches

Volcanic activity in Iceland since settlement (c. 870 AD) has to varying degrees been recorded in various historical documents. By taking a critical look at these documents and combining these sources with tephrochronology and evidence from modern eruptions, it has been possible to build up a very accurately dated record of volcanic eruptions and tephra deposition. Works such as Sigurður Þórarinsson's The eruptions of Hekla in historical times stand out as major landmarks in this work. The degree of precision of these dates varies from the exact time the eruptions began, e.g. Askja 1875, to the year for eruptions, such as the eruption of Hekla in 1158.

Eruption/tephra

This form allow searches to be made for tephra layers and eruptions that have occurred between, before, after or in particular years.

Radiocarbon dated searches

Tephra layers once radiocarbon dated and identified geochemically provide the valuable function of isochrones. These can stretch across a variety of sedimentary environments and vast distances enabling correlations to be made. The search available from here enable radiocarbon dated tephra layers to be found.

Radiocarbon

This form allow searches to be made for tephra layers that have been radiocarbon dated. The radiocarbon ages are stored as uncalibrated radiocarbon years BP