Deep-ocean record of major late Cenozoic rhyolitic eruptions from New Zealand

A 12 m.y. record of large rhyolitic eruptions from the Coromandel (CVZ) and Taupo (TVZ) Volcanic Zones of New Zealand is contained in cores retrieved by Leg 181 of the Ocean Drilling Program. Site 1124, located 670 km from the TVZ, has a maximum of 134 macroscopic tephra layers with a total thickness of 13.18 m. These units, along with between 7 and 63 tephras from 3 other sites, were dated by a combination of magnetostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, isothermal plateau fission track determinations, and geochemical correlation with onshore tephra deposits. Additional time control for the last 3 m.y. came from an orbitally tuned, benthic, oxygen isotope profile for Site 1123. Results extend the incomplete terrestrial record of volcanism by placing the first major rhyolitic eruption in the CVZ at c. 12 Ma, c. 1.6-1 m.y. earlier than previously known. Tephras became thicker and more frequent from the late Miocene into the Quaternary-a trend that probably reflected (1) more frequent and intense volcanism and (2) reduced distances between sources and depositional sites on the evolving Australian/Pacific plate system. The passage from CVZ to Quaternary TVZ occurred without a major hiatus in activity, suggesting the transition was gradational. The ensuing TVZ volcanism was more continuous than known previously from the onshore geology. Ash dispersal was primarily eastward, highlighting the dominance of westerly winds since the middle Miocene. Nevertheless, variations in dispersal patterns suggest periodic changes in wind direction/speed and/or ejection of ash beyond the Roaring Forties.