Constraints on the frequency and dispersal of explosive eruptions at Sambe and Daisen volcanoes (South-West Japan Arc) from the distal Lake Suigetsu record (SG06 core)

Abstract Accurately evaluating the tempo and magnitude of pre-historic eruptions is essential for hazard assessments. Here we demonstrate the importance of integrating records from locations close to the volcano with those in distal regions to generate more comprehensive event stratigraphies. The annually laminated (varved) and intensely radiocarbon dated lacustrine sediments of Lake Suigetsu (SG06 core), Japan are used to place chronological constraints on the tempo of volcanism at two stratovolcanoes located favourably upwind of the lake along the South-West Japan Arc, Sambe and Daisen. Major and trace element glass compositions are used to assign visible ash (tephra) layers preserved in the SG06 sediment core to past explosive eruptions from these volcanoes. Integrating these stratigraphies confirm that the ~150 ka long lake sequence records nine visible ash layers from Daisen and five from Sambe. The SG06 record captures two periods of closely spaced eruptions at Daisen volcano. The first period begins at ~61.1 ka with three explosive eruptions over ~10 ka, with two events separated by as little as 1.5 ka. One layer (SG06–4281), dated at 59.6 ± 5.5 ka (95.4% probability), relates to the large magnitude, and widely dispersed Daisen Kurayoshi Pumice (DKP) eruption. The other period of frequent activity began at 29,837 ± 96 IntCal13 yrs. BP (95.4% probability) with five widely dispersed ash fall events associated with explosive eruptions separated by approximately 6, 936, 5 and 438 years. The integrated proximal-distal event stratigraphy and the high-precision SG06 chronology provide unique insights into the timing and frequency of past explosive volcanism from Daisen and Sambe, which has implications for the prediction of future eruption scenarios.