Global tephra studies: role and importance of the international tephra research group “Commission on Tephrochronology” in its first 60 years

[摘要] Tephrochronology is a correlational and age-equivalent datingmethod whereby practitioners characterize, map, and date tephra (or volcanicash) layers and use them stratigraphically as connecting and dating tools inthe geosciences (including volcanology) and in studies of past environmentsand archaeology. Modern tephra studies per se began around 100 years ago (in the1920s), but the first collective of tephrochronologists with a common purposeand nascent global outlook was not formed until 7 September 1961 inWarsaw, Poland. On that date, the inaugural “Commission on Tephrochronology”(COT) was ratified under the aegis of the International Union for QuaternaryResearch (INQUA). The formation of COT is attributable largely to the leadershipof Kunio Kobayashi of Japan, the commission's president for its first 12 years. We were motivated to record and evaluate the function and importance of COT because tephrochronology continues to grow globally and its heritage needsto be understood, appreciated, and preserved. In addition, studies oncryptotephras, which are fine-grained glass-shard and/or crystalconcentrations preserved in sediments or soils but insufficiently numerousto be visible as a layer to the naked eye, have also expanded dramaticallyin recent times. Therefore, in this article, we review the role and impactsof COT under the umbrella of INQUA for 53 of the last 60 years or underIAVCEI (International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of theEarth's Interior) for 7 of the last 60 years, including since 2019. Thecommission also functioned under other names (abbreviated as COTS, CEV,ICCT, COTAV, SCOTAV, and INTAV; see Table 2 for definitions). As well as identifying key persons ofinfluence, we describe the development of the commission, its leaders, andits activities, which include organizing nine specialist tephra field meetingsin seven different countries. Members of the commission have participated innumerous other conferences (including specialist tephra sessions) orworkshops of regional to international scale, and they have played leading roles ininternational projects such as INTIMATE (INTegrating Ice-core, MArine and TErrestrial records) and SMART (SynchronisingMarine And ice-core Records using Tephrochronology). As well as stronglysupporting early-career researchers including graduate students, thecommission has generated 10 tephra-themed journal volumes and two books. Ithas published numerous other articles including field guidebooks, reports,and specialist internet documents/sites. Although its fortunes have ebbed aswell as flowed, the commission began to prosper after 1987 when key changesin leadership occurred. COT has blossomed further, especially in the pastdecade or so, as an entire new cohort of specialists, including many engagedin cryptotephra studies, has emerged alongside new geoanalytical and datingtechniques or protocols to become a vibrant global group today. We name 29elected officers who have been involved with COT since 1961 as well as 15honorary life members. After reviewing the aims of the commission, weconclude by evaluating its legacies and by documenting current and futurework.

[学科分类] 工业工程学