Radiocarbon dates, stratigraphic sections, and sample location data for samples collected at Pavlof Volcano and vicinity, Alaska

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Frequently anticipated questions:


What does this data set describe?

Title:
Radiocarbon dates, stratigraphic sections, and sample location data for samples collected at Pavlof Volcano and vicinity, Alaska
Abstract:
Radiocarbon dates, stratigraphic sections, and sample location data for samples collected at Pavlof Volcano and vicinity, Alaska, Raw Data File 2025-26, presents the results of radiocarbon dating and stratigraphic studies of volcanic ash deposits in the area around Pavlof Volcano, Alaska. We collected samples for radiocarbon dating during 10-day-long field excursions to the area in 2017-2022. In addition to collecting soil-organic matter samples for dating, we recorded stratigraphic profiles in field notebooks and documented them with digital photographs. The goal of this work is to establish the stratigraphic framework of tephra-fall deposits from Pavlof Volcano to aid in documenting the Holocene eruptive history of the volcano as recorded by the tephra deposits. These data consist of a .csv file, annotated photographs, and line drawings of stratigraphic profiles. These data are provided as a Raw Data File under an open end-user license and are available on the DGGS website: http://doi.org/10.14509/31733.
Supplemental_Information:
Analytical data:    Table of field locations, sample metadata, radiocarbon measurements, calibrated ages, analytical details, and an accompanying data dictionary.
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Waythomas, C.F., Izbekov, P.E., Larsen, J.F., Mulliken, K.M., and Wasser, V.K., 2026, Radiocarbon dates, stratigraphic sections, and sample location data for samples collected at Pavlof Volcano and vicinity, Alaska: Raw Data File RDF 2025-26, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 30 p.
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -162.957957
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -162.077623
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 70.046934
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 69.392345
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 2017
    Ending_Date: 2025
    Currentness_Reference:
    ground condition
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: spreadsheet
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      This is a point data set.
    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.0000001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.0000001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in decimal degrees. The horizontal datum used is WGS84.
      The ellipsoid used is WGS 84.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257223563.
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
    RDF2025-26_pavlof-c14-data.csv, RDF2025-26_pavlof-c14-data-dictionary.csv
    Table of field locations, sample metadata, radiocarbon measurements, calibrated ages, analytical details, and an accompanying data dictionary. (Source: DGGS)

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
    This report is based on work supported by the U.S. Geological Survey in a cooperative agreement with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute and under Cooperative Agreement No. G22AC00137 with the Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys. Radiocarbon ages were determined by the University of Georgia Center for Applied Isotope Studies under contract to the U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory. Lodging provided by Mary Martin at the Cold Bay Lodge in Cold Bay, Alaska, was greatly appreciated. Maritime Helicopters and Egli Air Haul. Pilots Jared Berman and Sam Egli provided efficient, safe, and professional transportation in the field areas.
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
    Metadata Manager
    3354 College Road
    Fairbanks, AK
    USA

    (907)451-5020 (voice)
    (907)451-5050 (FAX)
    dggspubs@alaska.gov
    Hours_of_Service: 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays
    Contact_Instructions:
    Please view our website (https://www.dggs.alaska.gov) for the latest information on available data. Please contact us using the e-mail address provided above when possible.

Why was the data set created?

We establish the stratigraphic framework of tephra‑fall deposits from Pavlof Volcano to document its Holocene eruptive history. By reconstructing past eruptions, we improve the basis for assessing future volcanic hazards in Alaska.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
    Date: 2022 (process 1 of 2)
    Field data collection - Stratigraphic profiles were selected for study in the field. They consisted of natural stream bank exposures or hand-dug pits. We scraped exposure surfaces clean with shovels and trowels to better expose the tephra deposits and associated buried soils, recorded the apparent vertical thickness of each unit, and collected samples of tephra and soil-organic matter for later analysis.
    Date: 2023 (process 2 of 2)
    Sample analysis - Researchers collected buried soil samples from 26 sites beneath major tephra layers, then dried and prepared them before sending them to the University of Georgia's Center for Applied Isotope Studies for radiocarbon analysis. In the lab, humic acids were isolated from the soils through sieving, acid treatment, alkaline extraction, precipitation, and drying, while peat samples underwent a similar cleaning process before combustion. Radiocarbon measurements were obtained using accelerator mass spectrometry, with isotopic ratios corrected for natural fractionation. Results were reported as percent modern carbon and as radiocarbon years before present (BP), based on a 5,568‑year half‑life. These uncalibrated dates were then converted to calendar ages using the CALIB 7.1 calibration program, which relies on tree‑ring and other independently dated records. Final calibrated ages are expressed as cal BC, cal AD, or cal BP, corresponding directly to actual calendar years. Additional methodological detail and full analytical results are provided in the accompanying report.
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
    Cameron, C.E., and Schaefer, J.R., 2016, Historically active volcanoes of Alaska: Digital Data Series DDS 6, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Cameron, C.E., and Snedigar, S.F., 2016, Alaska Volcano Observatory image database: Digital Data Series DDS 13, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Cameron, C.E., Bull, K.F., and Macpherson, A.E., 2023, Recently active volcanoes of Alaska: Miscellaneous Publication MP 133 v. 6, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 2 sheets
    Cameron, C.E., Crass, S.W., and Staff, AVO, 2022, Geologic Database of Information on Volcanoes in Alaska (GeoDIVA): Digital Data Series DDS 20, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Cameron, C.E., Mulliken, K.M., Crass, S.W., Schaefer, J.R., and Wallace, K.L., 2019, Alaska Volcano Observatory geochemical database, version 2: Digital Data Series DDS 8 v. 2, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 22 p
    Cameron, C.E., Triplehorn, J.H., and Robar, C.L., 2003, Bibliography of information on Alaska volcanoes: Miscellaneous Publication MP 131, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Mulliken, K.M., 2018, The Volcanology section at DGGS: Information Circular IC 74, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 2 p

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
    The accompanying report and data tables provide a comprehensive discussion of processing methods, with errors reported in the tables where applicable. This data is being released as part of the DGGS RDF series, which includes content describing approved techniques and methods for the collection, storage, visualization, analysis, and interpretation of scientific data. While the information has been reviewed by several geologists familiar with the study area, the data and report have not undergone formal review for technical content or conformity to DGGS editorial standards. For inquiries regarding analytical values or procedures, the originating lab is the best point of contact.
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    Sample site locations were determined with hand-held GPS devices and recorded in field notebooks. Data are provided in NAD83 datum.
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    This data release is complete.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    Not applicable

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
Access_Constraints:
This report, map, and/or dataset is available directly from the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (see contact information below).
Use_Constraints:
Any hard copies or published datasets utilizing these datasets shall clearly indicate their source. If the user has modified the data in any way, the user is obligated to describe the types of modifications the user has made. The user specifically agrees not to misrepresent these datasets, nor to imply that changes made by the user were approved by the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys. The State of Alaska makes no express or implied warranties (including warranties for merchantability and fitness) with respect to the character, functions, or capabilities of the electronic data or products or their appropriateness for any user's purposes. In no event will the State of Alaska be liable for any incidental, indirect, special, consequential, or other damages suffered by the user or any other person or entity whether from the use of the electronic services or products or any failure thereof or otherwise. In no event will the State of Alaska's liability to the Requestor or anyone else exceed the fee paid for the electronic service or product.
  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
    Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
    Metadata Manager
    3354 College Road
    Fairbanks, AK
    USA

    (907)451-5020 (voice)
    (907)451-5050 (FAX)
    dggspubs@alaska.gov
    Hours_of_Service: 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays
    Contact_Instructions:
    Please view our website (https://www.dggs.alaska.gov) for the latest information on available data. Please contact us using the e-mail address provided above when possible.
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? RDF 2025-26
  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
    The State of Alaska makes no expressed or implied warranties (including warranties for merchantability and fitness) with respect to the character, functions, or capabilities of the electronic data or products or their appropriateness for any user's purposes. In no event will the State of Alaska be liable for any incidental, indirect, special, consequential, or other damages suffered by the user or any other person or entity whether from the use of the electronic services or products or any failure thereof or otherwise. In no event will the State of Alaska's liability to the Requestor or anyone else exceed the fee paid for the electronic service or product.
  4. How can I download or order the data?

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 16-Jan-2026
Metadata author:
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
Attn: Simone Montayne
Metadata Manager
3354 College Road
Fairbanks, AK
USA

(907)451-5020 (voice)
(907)451-5050 (FAX)
dggspubs@alaska.gov
Hours_of_Service: 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays
Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
Metadata extensions used:

Generated by mp version 2.9.50 on Fri Jan 16 17:23:35 2026