The presence of volcanic glass in soils on the West Coast, South Island, New Zealand

Abstract

Abstract Soil profiles at 7 of 8 sites studied on the West Coast of the South Island, New Zealand, contain small amounts of volcanic glass in their sand fractions. It is assumed the glass originated from 1 of the more widespread late Quaternary eruptions of the Taupo Volcanic Zone. On the basis of other known occurrences in the South Island, the glass is considered to be from the Kawakawa Tephra (20 550 ± 300 years old).