A geochemical and mineralogical investigation of some British and other European tonsteins

ABSTRACT The volcanic origin of a number of major tonstein horizons has been established from mineralogical compositions and from trace elements that are quantitatively retained during diagenesis. Discriminant function analysis using the variables Ti/Al, Cr/Al, Zr/Al and Ni/Al allows the tonsteins to be classified according to original composition. Two main groups are recognized amongst the British tonsteins. Those formed from acid volcanic ash are comparable in composition with French and German tonsteins and a common source is postulated, whereas tonsteins formed from basic volcanic ash contain variable amounts of detrital sediment and are thought to originate from local eruptions. Possible lateral equivalents between tonstein horizons in Britain and elsewhere in Europe are suggested.