Acidity of Polar Ice Cores in Relation to Absolute Dating, Past Volcanism, and Radio–Echoes

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Author: Hammer, C. U.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1980
• Subjects: Laki; Hekla; ice core; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000015227; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000015227

Abstract A simple method is described for detecting annual stratification of ice cores, and layers of high acidity due to violent volcanic eruptions in the past. The method is based on a relationship between the H 3 O + concentration (pH) of melted samples and the electrical current between two brass electrodes moved along the cleaned ice-core surface. The “conductivity” is explained in terms of the initial current in the build-up of space charges. Acidity and current profiles are shown through layers deposited soon after historically well-known volcanic eruptions, such as Katmai, a.d. 1912, Tambora, a.d. 1815, Laki, a.d. 1783, Hekla, a.d. 1104, and Thera (Santorin) c . 1400 b.c. High-acidity layers seem to be the cause for the internal radio-echo layers in polar ice sheets.