TEPHROSTRATIGRAPHY OF THE LAST 160 KA IN WESTERN LIMAGNE (FRANCE)

The GEOCLER 1 core extracted from the Clermont crater lake sediments a nd surface studies made at several localities north of Clermont provid ed numerous stratigraphic, environmental and chronological data (TL an d radiocarbon) which allow us to present a chronostratigraphy of the L imagne for the past 160 ka. 118 ash-Falls have been recorded in the cr ater-lake sediments of the Clermont maar. They demonstrate that a basa ltic phreatic activity developed along the western fault-scarp of the Limagne between 160 and 70 ka, after which began the Chaine des Puys a ctivity. Moreover, several acid eruptions occurred between 160 and 40 ka. From Older Dryas to Atlantic, between 15 and 7 ka, fourteen ash-fa lls occurred and in some cases the source volcanoes have been identifi ed. These include Puy de La Nugere, Puy de Dame, Puy Chopine, Kilian C rater and Puy de Pariou which contribute mainly to the local tephra su ccession. Prospects for Further prehistoric research in volcanic areas are outlined. (C) 1998 INQUA/Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserve d.