The distribution of Laacher See ash west of the Eifel region

Abstract

Volcanic grain percentages in heavy-mineral concentrates of local colluvial deposits in Luxembourg and surrounding areas have been used to trace the dispersal of an ash deposit of Allerød age characterized by an association of brown anphibole, pyroxene and sphene. Remnants of the ash fall were detected at distances of more than 300 km southwest of the Laacher See eruption centre. As Allerød ashes previously have been found at similar distances east of this centre, it is evident that the dominant wind direction during this geological interstade cannot be reconstructed from the distribution of ashes produced by short-lived eruptions.