Quaternary deposits in six sediment cores from the Scotia Sea, Antarctica,
were examined for the presence of volcanic ash layers. The cores were recovered
from water depths of 3369-4025 m. Altogether, 23 ash layers were found, 18 of
which have been investigated by electron-probe microanalysis. Deception Island is
identified as the source of all the ash layers analyzed. The upper ash layer in
each core can be correlated across all six cores, over a distance of -100 km, on
the basis of its unusual bimodal composition, major oxide geochemistry and
stratigraphie position. Two other ash layers can also be correlated between
several of the cores.