<p>Tephrochronology, or the dating and correlation of stratigraphic sediment sequences by the use of tephra, is a dating method that has been much refined in the last decade. This refinement has enabled the detection of cryptotephra, which has expanded the known distribution of different tephras. At the site Lake Mulakullegöl in the southwest of Sweden, three distinct tephra horizons have been detected, of which two have been geochemically identified. The identified tephras are the Vedde Ash (ca 12,000 cal. yrs BP) and the Hässeldalen Tephra (ca 11,500 cal. yrs BP), both of Icelandic origin. These tephras were deposited during the middle of the Younger Dryas Stadial and the Younger Dryas/Preboreal transition, respectively. The Vedde Ash is one of the most widespread tephras of Icelandic provenance, while the Hässeldalen Tephra so far only has been found at two sites in southeastern Sweden, prior to the current study. A third, unidentified, tephra was also detected. Based on the stratigraphic position, this tephra might be the Borrobol Tephra, which has been dated to ca 14,400 cal. yrs BP. This might indicate that warming had not yet occurred in this part of Sweden. The extended known distribution of especially the Hässeldalen Tephra, but also the Vedde Ash, has enabled a higher potential for correlations between different records deposited during the Last Glacial/Interglacial transition.</p>

Tephrochronology, or the dating and correlation of stratigraphic sediment sequences by the use of tephra, is a dating method that has been much refined in the last decade. This refinement has enabled the detection of cryptotephra, which has expanded the known distribution of different tephras. At the site Lake Mulakullegöl in the southwest of Sweden, three distinct tephra horizons have been detected, of which two have been geochemically identified. The identified tephras are the Vedde Ash (ca 12,000 cal. yrs BP) and the Hässeldalen Tephra (ca 11,500 cal. yrs BP), both of Icelandic origin. These tephras were deposited during the middle of the Younger Dryas Stadial and the Younger Dryas/Preboreal transition, respectively. The Vedde Ash is one of the most widespread tephras of Icelandic provenance, while the Hässeldalen Tephra so far only has been found at two sites in southeastern Sweden, prior to the current study. A third, unidentified, tephra was also detected. Based on the stratigraphic position, this tephra might be the Borrobol Tephra, which has been dated to ca 14,400 cal. yrs BP. This might indicate that warming had not yet occurred in this part of Sweden. The extended known distribution of especially the Hässeldalen Tephra, but also the Vedde Ash, has enabled a higher potential for correlations between different records deposited during the Last Glacial/Interglacial transition.

Syftet med denna studie var att försöka datera en sedimentstratigrafi genom att undersöka möjligheten till korrelation med resultaten från en tidigare studie via tefrokronologiska metoder. Tefrokronologi är studierna och metoderna där man identifierar och daterar tefra (vulkanaska) i lagerföljder för att användas som ett synkroniseringsverktyg mellan olika sedimentstratigrafier. I denna studie genomfördes analys av organiskt kol, XRF-scanning, extrahering och mikroskopering av tefra samt försök till kemisk analys genom elektronmikroskopering av en borrkärna från Fågelmossen i södra Sverige. Tefra hittades i botten av borrkärnan och med hjälp detta fynd i kombination med främst analys av organiskt kol kunde borrkärnans stratigrafi korreleras med resultaten från den tidigare studien. / The purpose of this study was to attempt to date a sediment stratigraphy by examining the possibility for correlation with the results from a previous study using tephrochronological methods. Tephrochronology is the studies and methods which identifies and dates tephra (volcanic ash) in strata for use as a synchronization tool between various sediment stratigraphies. In this study, analysis of organic carbon, XRF scanning, extraction and microscopic examination of tephra and an attempt for chemical analysis by electron microscopy was conducted of a drill core from Fågelmossen in southern Sweden. Tephra was found in the bottom of the drill core and by using this finding, combined mainly with the analysis of organic carbon, the drill core stratigraphy could be correlated with the results from the previous study.