SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WORZEL DEEP SEA ASH

Abstract

Trenches, but it is almost certainly present in the valley bottoms.It is not found on the trench floors, perhaps due to its deep burial.If the white ash layer can be identified with the same time of occurrence in all of the cores, much can be learned of the sedimentation rates in this part of the Pacific and particularly about the variability of these rates.The white ash immediately suggests a volcanic origin and the proximity of the Andes suggests the source.However, the great extent of the ash and its shallow cover would imply such a great amount of recent activity for a short time that it may well be difficult to ascribe it to the Andes.Until its extent, age, and identifica- tion are determined one can only speculate.Perhaps sub-bottom echoes from other areas can also be correlated with this white ash layer.If so, it may be necessary to attribute the layer to a world-wide volcanism or perhaps to the fiery end of bodies of cosmic origin.It will be possible to measure the acoustic properties of the clays above and below the layer and of the layer itself.This area can then become an excellent testing ground for theories of reflectivity for various layer thicknesses and depth of burial and for the effectiveness of various sounding equipments.Maurice Ewing, D. B. Ericson, J. E. Nafe, and B. C.