lengdargráðum
Lengdargráðum is a term used primarily in Icelandic geology to describe a specific kind of stratigraphic gradient observed in volcanic ash deposits. The word combines “lengda” meaning “length” and “gráður,” a variant of “gráður,” meaning “gradient” or “complex.” In practice, lengdargráðum refers to the gradual change in thickness, composition, and grain size of tephra layers over geographic distance from an eruption vent. The concept is important for reconstructing eruption dynamics, including the directionality of pyroclastic flows and ash dispersal patterns.
In the textbook on Icelandic tephrostratigraphy, lengdargráðum is used to categorize deposits that show a systematic
Research on lengdargráðum has extended into the field of paleoclimate, where variations in ash layers record
The study of lengdargráðum demonstrates how detailed sedimentological analysis contributes to broader understandings of volcanic hazards.