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

Abstract

AbstractA 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 H3O+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.