About
Professor Siwan Davies is a member of the Geography Department at Swansea University.
Professor Siwan Davies
Personal Chair
Geography
Welsh language proficiency
Fluent Welsh Speaker
Academic Office - 203 A
Second Floor
Wallace Building
Singleton Campus
Second Floor
Wallace Building
Singleton Campus
Research Links
Areas Of Expertise
- Tephrochronology
- Quaternary Science and palaeoenvironmental change
- Abrupt and rapid climatic changes
- Geochronology
Career Highlights
Research
Award Highlights
Research Groups
Environmental Dynamics
Our research focuses on environmental variability throughout the Quaternary and the effects of future climatic change. It is centred on regions especially sensitive to environmental change (tropical, cold and wildfire-prone) and also considers interactions between climate change, human disturbance and catastrophic events.
- 2011 Philip Leverhulme prize in Geography £70,000.
- 2013 Lyell Fund (Geological Society)
Publications
Research Highlights
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Innes, H., Hutchison, W., Sigl, M., Crick, L., Abbott, P., Bigler, M., Chellman, N., Davies, S., Kutterolf, S., McConnell, J., Severi, M., Sparks, R., Svensson, A., Wolff, E., Rae, J., & Burke, A. (2025). Ice core evidence for the Los Chocoyos supereruption disputes millennial-scale climate impact. Communications Earth & Environment, 6(1)
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Hutchison, W., Sugden, P., Burke, A., Abbott, P., Ponomareva, V., Dirksen, O., Portnyagin, M., MacInnes, B., Bourgeois, J., Fitzhugh, B., Verkerk, M., Aubry, T., Engwell, S., Svensson, A., Chellman, N., McConnell, J., Davies, S., Sigl, M., & Plunkett, G. (2025). The 1831 CE mystery eruption identified as Zavaritskii caldera, Simushir Island (Kurils). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 122(1)
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Hutchison, W., Gabriel, I., Plunkett, G., Burke, A., Sugden, P., Innes, H., Davies, S., Moreland, W., Krüger, K., Wilson, R., Vinther, B., Dahl‐Jensen, D., Freitag, J., Oppenheimer, C., Chellman, N., Sigl, M., & McConnell, J. (2024). High‐Resolution Ice‐Core Analyses Identify the Eldgjá Eruption and a Cluster of Icelandic and Trans‐Continental Tephras Between 936 and 943 CE. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 129(16)
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Davies, S., Albert, P., Bourne, A., Owen, S., Svensson, A., Bolton, M., Cook, E., Jensen, B., Jones, G., Ponomareva, V., & Suzuki, T. (2024). Exploiting the Greenland volcanic ash repository to date caldera-forming eruptions and widespread isochrons during the Holocene. Quaternary Science Reviews, 334, 108707
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Wallace, K., Bursik, M., Kuehn, S., Kurbatov, A., Abbott, P., Bonadonna, C., Cashman, K., Davies, S., Jensen, B., Lane, C., Plunkett, G., Smith, V., Tomlinson, E., Thordarsson, T., & Walker, J. (2022). Community established best practice recommendations for tephra studies—from collection through analysis. Scientific Data, 9(1)
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COOK, E., Abbott, P., Pearce, N., Mojtabavi, S., Svensson, A., Bourne, A., Rasmussen, S., Seierstad, I., Vinther, B., Harrison, J., Street, E., Steffensen, J., Wilhelms, F., & Davies, S. (2022). Volcanism and the Greenland ice cores: A new tephrochronological framework for the last glacial-interglacial transition (LGIT) based on cryptotephra deposits in three ice cores. Quaternary Science Reviews, 292, 107596
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Pearson, C., Sigl, M., Burke, A., Davies, S., Kurbatov, A., Severi, M., Cole-Dai, J., Innes, H., Albert, P., & Helmick, M. (2022). Geochemical ice-core constraints on the timing and climatic impact of Aniakchak II (1628 BCE) and Thera (Minoan) volcanic eruptions. PNAS Nexus, 1(2)
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Mojtabavi, S., Wilhelms, F., Cook, E., Davies, S., Sinnl, G., Jensen, M., Dahl-Jensen, D., Svensson, A., Vinther, B., Kipfstuhl, S., Jones, G., Karlsson, N., Faria, S., Gkinis, V., Kjær, H., Erhardt, T., Berben, S., Nisancioglu, K., Koldtoft, I., & Rasmussen, S. (2020). A first chronology for the East Greenland Ice-core Project (EGRIP) over the Holocene and last glacial termination. Climate of the Past, 16(6), 2359-2380.
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Turney, C., Fogwill, C., Golledge, N., McKay, N., Sebille, E., Jones, R., Etheridge, D., Rubino, M., Thornton, D., Davies, S., Ramsey, C., Thomas, Z., Bird, M., Munksgaard, N., Kohno, M., Woodward, J., Winter, K., Weyrich, L., Rootes, C...., & Cooper, A. (2020). Early Last Interglacial ocean warming drove substantial ice mass loss from Antarctica. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(8), 3996-4006.
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Fogwill, C., Turney, C., Menviel, L., Baker, A., Weber, M., Ellis, B., Thomas, Z., Golledge, N., Etheridge, D., Rubino, M., Thornton, D., Ommen, T., Moy, A., Curran, M., Davies, S., Bird, M., Munksgaard, N., Rootes, C., Millman, H...., & Cooper, A. (2020). Southern Ocean carbon sink enhanced by sea-ice feedbacks at the Antarctic Cold Reversal. Nature Geoscience, 13(7), 489-497.
All Research
Journal Articles
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Innes, H., Hutchison, W., Sigl, M., Crick, L., Abbott, P., Bigler, M., Chellman, N., Davies, S., Kutterolf, S., McConnell, J., Severi, M., Sparks, R., Svensson, A., Wolff, E., Rae, J., & Burke, A. (2025). Ice core evidence for the Los Chocoyos supereruption disputes millennial-scale climate impact. Communications Earth & Environment, 6(1)
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Hutchison, W., Sugden, P., Burke, A., Abbott, P., Ponomareva, V., Dirksen, O., Portnyagin, M., MacInnes, B., Bourgeois, J., Fitzhugh, B., Verkerk, M., Aubry, T., Engwell, S., Svensson, A., Chellman, N., McConnell, J., Davies, S., Sigl, M., & Plunkett, G. (2025). The 1831 CE mystery eruption identified as Zavaritskii caldera, Simushir Island (Kurils). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 122(1)
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Hutchison, W., Gabriel, I., Plunkett, G., Burke, A., Sugden, P., Innes, H., Davies, S., Moreland, W., Krüger, K., Wilson, R., Vinther, B., Dahl‐Jensen, D., Freitag, J., Oppenheimer, C., Chellman, N., Sigl, M., & McConnell, J. (2024). High‐Resolution Ice‐Core Analyses Identify the Eldgjá Eruption and a Cluster of Icelandic and Trans‐Continental Tephras Between 936 and 943 CE. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 129(16)
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Davies, S., Albert, P., Bourne, A., Owen, S., Svensson, A., Bolton, M., Cook, E., Jensen, B., Jones, G., Ponomareva, V., & Suzuki, T. (2024). Exploiting the Greenland volcanic ash repository to date caldera-forming eruptions and widespread isochrons during the Holocene. Quaternary Science Reviews, 334, 108707
-
COOK, E., Abbott, P., Pearce, N., Mojtabavi, S., Svensson, A., Bourne, A., Rasmussen, S., Seierstad, I., Vinther, B., Harrison, J., Street, E., Steffensen, J., Wilhelms, F., & Davies, S. (2022). Volcanism and the Greenland ice cores: A new tephrochronological framework for the last glacial-interglacial transition (LGIT) based on cryptotephra deposits in three ice cores. Quaternary Science Reviews, 292, 107596
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Wallace, K., Bursik, M., Kuehn, S., Kurbatov, A., Abbott, P., Bonadonna, C., Cashman, K., Davies, S., Jensen, B., Lane, C., Plunkett, G., Smith, V., Tomlinson, E., Thordarsson, T., & Walker, J. (2022). Community established best practice recommendations for tephra studies—from collection through analysis. Scientific Data, 9(1)
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Pearson, C., Sigl, M., Burke, A., Davies, S., Kurbatov, A., Severi, M., Cole-Dai, J., Innes, H., Albert, P., & Helmick, M. (2022). Geochemical ice-core constraints on the timing and climatic impact of Aniakchak II (1628 BCE) and Thera (Minoan) volcanic eruptions. PNAS Nexus, 1(2)
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Mojtabavi, S., Wilhelms, F., Cook, E., Davies, S., Sinnl, G., Jensen, M., Dahl-Jensen, D., Svensson, A., Vinther, B., Kipfstuhl, S., Jones, G., Karlsson, N., Faria, S., Gkinis, V., Kjær, H., Erhardt, T., Berben, S., Nisancioglu, K., Koldtoft, I., & Rasmussen, S. (2020). A first chronology for the East Greenland Ice-core Project (EGRIP) over the Holocene and last glacial termination. Climate of the Past, 16(6), 2359-2380.
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Fogwill, C., Turney, C., Menviel, L., Baker, A., Weber, M., Ellis, B., Thomas, Z., Golledge, N., Etheridge, D., Rubino, M., Thornton, D., Ommen, T., Moy, A., Curran, M., Davies, S., Bird, M., Munksgaard, N., Rootes, C., Millman, H...., & Cooper, A. (2020). Southern Ocean carbon sink enhanced by sea-ice feedbacks at the Antarctic Cold Reversal. Nature Geoscience, 13(7), 489-497.
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Turney, C., Fogwill, C., Golledge, N., McKay, N., Sebille, E., Jones, R., Etheridge, D., Rubino, M., Thornton, D., Davies, S., Ramsey, C., Thomas, Z., Bird, M., Munksgaard, N., Kohno, M., Woodward, J., Winter, K., Weyrich, L., Rootes, C...., & Cooper, A. (2020). Early Last Interglacial ocean warming drove substantial ice mass loss from Antarctica. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(8), 3996-4006.
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Jones, G., Davies, S., Staff, R., Loader, N., Davies, S., & Walker, M. (2020). Traces of volcanic ash from the Mediterranean, Iceland and North America in a Holocene record from south Wales, UK. Journal of Quaternary Science, 35(1-2), 163-174.
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Hartman, L., Kurbatov, A., Winski, D., Cruz-Uribe, A., Davies, S., Dunbar, N., Iverson, N., Aydin, M., Fegyveresi, J., Ferris, D., Fudge, T., Osterberg, E., Hargreaves, G., & Yates, M. (2019). Volcanic glass properties from 1459 C.E. volcanic event in South Pole ice core dismiss Kuwae caldera as a potential source. Scientific Reports, 9(1)
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Wohlfarth, B., Luoto, T., Muschitiello, F., Väliranta, M., Björck, S., Davies, S., Kylander, M., Ljung, K., Reimer, P., & Smittenberg, R. (2018). Climate and environment in southwest Sweden 15.5-11.3 cal. ka BP. Boreas
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Cook, E., Davies, S., Guðmundsdóttir, E., Abbott, P., & Pearce, N. (2018). First identification and characterization of Borrobol-type tephra in the Greenland ice cores: new deposits and improved age estimates. Journal of Quaternary Science, 33(2), 212-224.
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Abbott, P., Griggs, A., Bourne, A., & Davies, S. (2018). Tracing marine cryptotephras in the North Atlantic during the last glacial period: Protocols for identification, characterisation and evaluating depositional controls. Marine Geology, 401, 81-97.
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Abbott, P., Griggs, A., Bourne, A., Chapman, M., & Davies, S. (2018). Tracing marine cryptotephras in the North Atlantic during the last glacial period: Improving the North Atlantic marine tephrostratigraphic framework. Quaternary Science Reviews, 189, 169-186.
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Evans, E., Davies, S., Johnston, R., Davies, S., & Johnston, R. (2017). Phantom creation and analysis: Improving X-Ray microtomography scanning of soft sediment cores containing volcanic ash. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 849, 012012
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Jones, G., Lane, C., Brauer, A., Davies, S., de Bruijn, R., Engels, S., Haliuc, A., Hoek, W., Merkt, J., Sachse, D., Turner, F., & Wagner-Cremer, F. (2017). The Lateglacial to early Holocene tephrochronological record from Lake Hämelsee, Germany: a key site within the European tephra framework. Boreas
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Jones, G., Davies, S., Farr, G., & Bevan, J. (2017). Identification of the Askja-S Tephra in a rare turlough record from Pant-y-Llyn, south Wales. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, 128(4), 523-530.
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Smedley, R., Scourse, J., Small, D., Hiemstra, J., Duller, G., Bateman, M., Burke, M., Chiverrell, R., Clark, C., Davies, S., Fabel, D., Gheorghiu, D., McCarroll, D., Medialdea, A., Xu, S., McCarroll, D., Davies, S., & Hiemstra, J. (2017). New age constraints for the limit of the British-Irish Ice Sheet on the Isles of Scilly. Journal of Quaternary Science, 32(1), 48-62.
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Fogwill, C., Turney, C., Golledge, N., Etheridge, D., Rubino, M., Thornton, D., Baker, A., Woodward, J., Winter, K., van Ommen, T., Moy, A., Curran, M., Davies, S., Weber, M., Bird, M., Munksgaard, N., Menviel, L., Rootes, C., Ellis, B...., & Davies, S. (2017). Antarctic ice sheet discharge driven by atmosphere-ocean feedbacks at the Last Glacial Termination. Scientific Reports, 7, 39979
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MacLeod, A., Davies, S., & Davies, S. (2016). Caution in cryptotephra correlation: resolving Lateglacial chemical controversies at Sluggan Bog, Northern Ireland. Journal of Quaternary Science, 31(4), 406-415.
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Zawalna-Geer, A., Lindsay, J., Davies, S., Augustinus, P., & Davies, S. (2016). Extracting a primary Holocene crytoptephra record from Pupuke maar sediments, Auckland, New Zealand. Journal of Quaternary Science, 31(5), 442-457.
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Holmes, N., Langdon, P., Caseldine, C., Wastegard, S., Leng, M., Croudace, I., Davies, S., & Davies, S. (2016). Climatic variability during the last millennium in Western Iceland from lake sediment records. The Holocene, 26(5), 756-771.
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Bourne, A., Abbott, P., Albert, P., Cook, E., Pearce, N., Ponomareva, V., Svensson, A., & Davies, S. (2016). Underestimated risks of recurrent long-range ash dispersal from northern Pacific Arc volcanoes. Scientific Reports, 6(1), 29837
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Ponomareva, V., Portnyagin, M., & Davies, S. (2015). Tephra without Borders: Far-Reaching Clues into Past Explosive Eruptions. Frontiers in Earth Science, 3
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Davies, S. (2015). Cryptotephras: the revolution in correlation and precision dating. Journal of Quaternary Science, 30(2), 114-130.
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Bourne, A., Cook, E., Abbott, P., Seierstad, I., Steffensen, J., Svensson, A., Fischer, H., Schüpbach, S., Davies, S., Davies, S., Abbott, P., & Bourne, A. (2015). A tephra lattice for Greenland and a reconstruction of volcanic events spanning 25–45 ka b2k. Quaternary Science Reviews, 118, 122-141.
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Griggs, A., Davies, S., Abbott, P., Coleman, M., Palmer, A., Rasmussen, T., & Johnston, R. (2015). Visualizing tephra deposits and sedimentary processes in the marine environment: The potential of X‐ray microtomography. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 16(12), 4329-4343.
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Abbott, P., Bourne, A., Purcell, C., Davies, S., Scourse, J., Pearce, N., Davies, S., & Abbott, P. (2015). Last glacial period cryptotephra deposits in an eastern North Atlantic marine sequence: Exploring linkages to the Greenland ice-cores. Quaternary Geochronology, 31, 62-76.
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Blockley, S., Bourne, A., Brauer, A., Davies, S., Hardiman, M., Harding, P., Lane, C., MacLeod, A., Matthews, I., Pyne-O’Donnell, S., Rasmussen, S., Wulf, S., & Zanchetta, G. (2014). Tephrochronology and the extended intimate (integration of ice-core, marine and terrestrial records) event stratigraphy 8–128 ka b2k. Quaternary Science Reviews, 106, 88-100.
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Abbott, P., Austin, W., Davies, S., Pearce, N., Rasmussen, T., Wastegård, S., Brendryen, J., Davies, S., & Abbott, P. (2014). Re-evaluation and extension of the Marine Isotope Stage 5 tephrostratigraphy of the Faroe Islands region: The cryptotephra record. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 409, 153-168.
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Austin, W., Abbott, P., Davies, S., Pearce, N., Wastegard, S., Davies, S., & Abbott, P. (2014). Marine tephrochronology: an introduction to tracing time in the ocean. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 398(1), 1-5.
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Griggs, A., Davies, S., Abbott, P., Rasmussen, T., & Palmer, A. (2014). Optimising the use of marine tephrochronology in the North Atlantic: a detailed investigation of the Faroe Marine Ash Zones II, III and IV. Quaternary Science Reviews, 106, 122-139.
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Seierstad, I., Abbott, P., Bigler, M., Blunier, T., Bourne, A., Brook, E., Buchardt, S., Buizert, C., Clausen, H., Cook, E., Dahl-Jensen, D., Davies, S., Guillevic, M., Johnsen, S., Pedersen, D., Popp, T., Rasmussen, S., Severinghaus, J., Svensson, A., & Vinther, B. (2014). Consistently dated records from the Greenland GRIP, GISP2 and NGRIP ice cores for the past 104 ka reveal regional millennial-scale δ18O gradients with possible Heinrich event imprint. Quaternary Science Reviews, 106, 29-46.
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Davies, S., Abbott, P., Meara, R., Pearce, N., Austin, W., Chapman, M., Svensson, A., Bigler, M., Rasmussen, T., Rasmussen, S., & Farmer, E. (2014). A North Atlantic tephrostratigraphical framework for 130–60 ka b2k: new tephra discoveries, marine-based correlations, and future challenges. Quaternary Science Reviews, 106, 101-121.
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Rasmussen, S., Abbott, P., Blunier, T., Bourne, A., Brook, E., Buchardt, S., Buizert, C., Chappellaz, J., Clausen, H., Cook, E., Dahl-Jensen, D., Davies, S., Guillevic, M., Kipfstuhl, S., Laepple, T., Seierstad, I., Severinghaus, J., Steffensen, J., Stowasser, C...., & Bourne, A. (2013). A first chronology for the North Greenland Eemian Ice Drilling (NEEM) ice core. Climate of the Past, 9(6), 2713-2730.
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BOURNE, A., DAVIES, S., ABBOTT, P., RASMUSSEN, S., STEFFENSEN, J., SVENSSON, A., Davies, S., Abbott, P., & Bourne, A. (2013). Revisiting the Faroe Marine Ash Zone III in two Greenland ice cores: implications for marine-ice correlations. Journal of Quaternary Science, 28(7), 641-646.
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Abbott, P., AUSTIN, W., Davies, S., PEARCE, N., & HIBBERT, F. (2013). Cryptotephrochronology of the Eemian and the last interglacial-glacial transition in the North East Atlantic. Journal of Quaternary Science, 28(5), 501-514.
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Dahl-Jensen, D., Albert, M., Aldahan, A., Azuma, N., Balslev-Clausen, D., Baumgartner, M., Berggren, A., Bigler, M., Binder, T., Blunier, T., Bourgeois, J., Brook, E., Buchardt, S., Buizert, C., Capron, E., Chappellaz, J., Chung, J., Clausen, H., Cvijanovic, I...., & Davies, S. (2013). Eemian interglacial reconstructed from a Greenland folded ice core. Nature, 493(7433), 489-494.
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Davies, S., Abbott, P., Pearce, N., Wastegård, S., & Blockley, S. (2012). Integrating the INTIMATE records using tephrochronology: rising to the challenge. Quaternary Science Reviews, 36, 11-27.
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Abbott, P. & Davies, S. (2012). Volcanism and the Greenland ice-cores: the tephra record. Earth-Science Reviews, 115(3), 173-191.
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Abbott, P., Davies, S., Steffensen, J., Pearce, N., Bigler, M., Johnsen, S., Seierstad, I., Svensson, A., & Wastegård, S. (2012). A detailed framework of Marine Isotope Stages 4 and 5 volcanic events recorded in two Greenland ice-cores. Quaternary Science Reviews, 36, 59-77.
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Walker, M., Lowe, J., Blockley, S., Bryant, C., Coombes, P., Davies, S., Hardiman, M., Turney, C., & Watson, J. (2012). Lateglacial and early Holocene palaeoenvironmental ‘events’ in Sluggan Bog, Northern Ireland: comparisons with the Greenland NGRIP GICC05 event stratigraphy. Quaternary Science Reviews, 36, 124-138.
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Abbott, P., Davies, S., Austin, W., Pearce, N., & Hibbert, F. (2011). Identification of cryptotephra horizons in a North East Atlantic marine record spanning marine isotope stages 4 and 5a (∼60,000–82,000 a b2k). Quaternary International, 246(1-2), 177-189.
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Cage, A., Davies, S., Wastegård, S., & Austin, W. (2011). Identification of the Icelandic Landnám tephra (AD 871 ± 2) in Scottish fjordic sediment. Quaternary International, 246(1-2), 168-176.
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Lowe, D., Davies, S., Moriwaki, H., Pearce, N., & Suzuki, T. (2011). Enhancing tephrochronology and its application (INTREPID project): Hiroshi Machida commemorative volume. Quaternary International, 246(1-2)-5.
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Davies, S., Wastegård, S., Abbott, P., Barbante, C., Bigler, M., Johnsen, S., Rasmussen, T., Steffensen, J., Svensson, A., Davies, S., & Abbott, P. (2010). Tracing volcanic events in the NGRIP ice-core and synchronising North Atlantic marine records during the last glacial period. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 294(1-2), 69-79.
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Davies, S., Larsen, G., Wastegård, S., Turney, C., Hall, V., Coyle, L., & Thordarson, T. (2010). Widespread dispersal of Icelandic tephra: how does the Eyjafjöll eruption of 2010 compare to past Icelandic events?. Journal of Quaternary Science, 25(5), 605-611.
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COULTER, S., PILCHER, J., HALL, V., PLUNKETT, G., & Davies, S. (2010). Testing the reliability of the JEOL FEGSEM 6500F electron microprobe for quantitative major element analysis of glass shards from rhyolitic tephra. Boreas, 39(1), 163-169.
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Wastegård, S. & Davies, S. (2009). An overview of distal tephrochronology in northern Europe during the last 1000 years. Journal of Quaternary Science, 24(5), 500-512.
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Wohlfarth, B., Veres, D., Ampel, L., Lacourse, T., Blaauw, M., Preusser, F., Andrieu-Ponel, V., Kéravis, D., Lallier-Vergès, E., Björck, S., Davies, S., Beaulieu, J., Risberg, J., Hormes, A., Kasper, H., Possnert, G., Reille, M., Thouveny, N., & Zander, A. (2008). Rapid ecosystem response to abrupt climate changes during the last glacial period in western Europe, 40–16 ka. Geology, 36(5), 407
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Davies, S., Wastegård, S., Rasmussen, T., Svensson, A., Johnsen, S., Steffensen, J., Andersen, K., & Davies, S. (2008). Identification of the Fugloyarbanki tephra in the NGRIP ice core: a key tie‐point for marine and ice‐core sequences during the last glacial period. Journal of Quaternary Science, 23(5), 409-414.
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Svensson, A., Andersen, K., Bigler, M., Clausen, H., Dahl-Jensen, D., Davies, S., Johnsen, S., Muscheler, R., Parrenin, F., Rasmussen, S., Röthlisberger, R., Seierstad, I., Steffensen, J., Vinther, B., & Davies, S. (2008). A 60 000 year Greenland stratigraphic ice core chronology. Climate of the Past, 4(1), 47-57.
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VERES, D., Davies, S., WOHLFARTH, B., PREUSSER, F., WASTEGÅRD, S., AMPEL, L., HORMES, A., POSSNERT, G., RAYNAL, J., & VERNET, G. (2008). Age, origin and significance of a new middle MIS 3 tephra horizon identified within a long-core sequence from Les Echets, France. Boreas, 37(3), 434-443.
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Davies, S., Elmquist, M., Bergman, J., Wohlfarth, B., Hammarlund, D., & Davies, S. (2007). Cryptotephra sedimentation processes within two lacustrine sequences from west central Sweden. The Holocene, 17(3)-330.
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Veres, D., Wohlfarth, B., Andrieu-Ponel, V., Björck, S., Beaulieu, J., Digerfeldt, G., Ponel, P., Ampel, L., Davies, S., Gandouin, E., & Belmecheri, S. (2007). The lithostratigraphy of the Les Echets basin, France: tentative correlation between cores. Boreas, 36(3)-340.
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Svensson, A., Andersen, K., Bigler, M., Clausen, H., Dahl-Jensen, D., Davies, S., Johnsen, S., Muscheler, R., Rasmussen, S., & Röthlisberger, R. (2006). The Greenland Ice Core Chronology 2005, 15–42ka. Part 2: comparison to other records. Quaternary Science Reviews, 25(23-24), 3258-3267.
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Turney, C., Burg, K., Wastegård, S., Davies, S., Whitehouse, N., Pilcher, J., Callaghan, C., & Davies, S. (2006). North European last glacial–interglacial transition (LGIT; 15–9 ka) tephrochronology: extended limits and new events. Journal of Quaternary Science, 21(4), 335-345.
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Wohlfarth, B., Blaauw, M., Davies, S., Andersson, M., Wastegård, S., Hormes, A., Possnert, G., & Davies, S. (2006). Constraining the age of Lateglacial and early Holocene pollen zones and tephra horizons in southern Sweden with Bayesian probability methods. Journal of Quaternary Science, 21(4), 321-334.
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Davies, S., Hoek, W., Bohncke, S., Lowe, J., O'Donnell, S., & Turney, C. (2005). Detection of Lateglacial distal tephra layers in the Netherlands. Boreas, 34(2), 123-135.
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Lowe, J., Walker, M., Scott, E., Harkness, D., Bryant, C., Davies, S., & Davies, S. (2004). A coherent high-precision radiocarbon chronology for the Late-glacial sequence at Sluggan Bog, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. Journal of Quaternary Science, 19(2)-158.
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Davies, S. & Davies, S. (2004). Were there two Borrobol Tephras during the early Lateglacial period: implications for tephrochronology?. Quaternary Science Reviews, 23(5-6), 581-589.
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Turney, C., Lowe, J., Davies, S., Hall, V., Lowe, D., Wastegård, S., Hoek, W., & Alloway, B. (2004). Tephrochronology of last termination sequences in Europe: a protocol for improved analytical precision and robust correlation procedures(a joint SCOTAV–INTIMATE proposal). Journal of Quaternary Science, 19(2)-120.
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Davies, S., Wastegård, S., & Wohlfarth, B. (2003). Extending the limits of the Borrobol Tephra to Scandinavia and detection of new early Holocene tephras. Quaternary Research, 59(3), 345
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Mackie, E., Turney, C., Dobbyn, K., Lowe, J., Hill, P., & Davies, S. (2002). The use of magnetic separation techniques to detect basaltic microtephra in last glacial-interglacial transition (LGIT; 15-10 ka cal. BP) sediment sequences in Scotland. SCOTTISH JOURNAL OF GEOLOGY, 38, 21-30.SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa18258
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DAVIES, S., BRANCH, N., LOWE, J., TURNEY, C., & Davies, S. (2002). Towards a European tephrochronological framework for Termination 1 and the Early Holocene. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 360(1793), 767-802.
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Davies, S., Turney, C., & Lowe, J. (2001). Identification and significance of a visible, basalt-rich Vedde Ash layer in a Late-glacial sequence on the Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides, Scotland. Journal of Quaternary Science, 16(2), 99-104.
Supervision
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Constraining the timing and scale of past explosive volcanism and climate change using tephra deposits preserved in Mediterranean sedimentary archives (current)
PhDOther supervisor: Dr Paul Albert -
Olrhain lludw folcanig yn yr Antarctig i ddyddio newid hinsawdd y gorffennol (current)
PhDOther supervisor: Dr Paul Albert
Taught Modules
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GEG133 Natural Hazards and Society
This module investigates hazardous aspects of Earth¿s natural environment and how society relates to them. Introductory principles include the definition of natural hazard, disaster, risk and loss, and approaches to reducing risk and managing disasters. Major types of natural hazard are studied in order to understand how they operate, where, and how frequently they are likely to occur. Hazardous consequences are explored, as well as how society can respond to hazardous events. Key aspects include discussion of primary and secondary hazards, prediction, forecasting and monitoring of hazards, and understanding how their harmful effects can be minimised. Natural hazards considered during this module include volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires, landslides, extreme weather events, flooding, avalanches and Mega Hazards. Lecture material considers general principles as well as case studies. The module is compulsory for students taking BSc Environmental Geoscience.
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GEG133C Peryglon Naturiol a Chymdeithas
Bydd y modiwl hwn yn ymchwilio i agweddau peryglus amgylchedd y Ddaear a pherthynas y gymdeithas â nhw. Bydd egwyddorion cychwynnol yn cynnwys diffiniad o berygl naturiol, trychineb, risg a cholled ac ymagweddau at leihau risg a rheoli trychinebau. Mae¿r prif fathau o berygl naturiol yn cael eu hastudio er mwyn deall sut maent yn gweithredu, ble, a pha mor aml maent yn debygol o ddigwydd. Caiff canlyniadau peryglus eu hystyried, yn ogystal â sut gall y gymdeithas ymateb i ddigwyddiadau peryglus. Mae agweddau allweddol yn cynnwys trafod peryglon cynradd ac eilradd, rhagweld a monitro peryglon, a deall sut y gellir lleihau eu heffeithiau niweidiol. Bydd y peryglon naturiol a fydd yn cael eu hystyried yn y modiwl hwn yn cynnwys ffrwydradau llosgfynyddoedd, daeargrynfeydd, tswnamïau, tanau gwyllt, tirlithriadau, digwyddiadau tywydd eithafol, llifogydd, cwympfeydd eira a Pheryglon Mawr. Bydd y modiwl hefyd yn ystyried y cysyniad o ¿Bobl fel Peryglon¿. Bydd darlithoedd yn ymdrin ag egwyddorion cyffredinol ynghyd ag astudiaethau achos. Bydd dosbarthiadau ymarferol yn atgyfnerthu¿r cysyniadau a drafodir mewn darlithoedd. Bydd agwedd ymarferol y gwaith hwn yn dod i uchafbwynt mewn diwrnod efelychu rheolaeth mewn trychineb. This module investigates hazardous aspects of Earth¿s natural environment and how society relates to them. Introductory principles include the definition of natural hazard, disaster, risk and loss, and approaches to reducing risk and managing disasters. Major types of natural hazard are studied in order to understand how they operate, where, and how frequently they are likely to occur. Hazardous consequences are explored, as well as how society can respond to hazardous events. Key aspects include discussion of primary and secondary hazards, prediction, forecasting and monitoring of hazards, and understanding how their harmful effects can be minimised. Natural hazards considered during this module include volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires, landslides, extreme weather events, flooding, avalanches and Mega Hazards. The module will also consider the concept of ¿Humans as Hazards¿. Lectures consider general principles as well as case studies. Practical classes reinforce concepts learned in lectures. The practical aspect of the work will culminate in a disaster management simulation day.
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GEG135 Sustainability and the Climate Emergency
This module explores the urgent challenges posed by climate change and the broader sustainability crisis through a dynamic, interdisciplinary lens. In this interactive module, you¿ll examine the science, politics, and lived realities of the climate crisis. You¿ll learn how societies have shaped the planet, how climate change affects people and ecosystems, and how we can imagine and build more sustainable futures. Through lectures, debates, case studies, and a hands-on climate negotiation simulation, you¿ll develop critical thinking skills and explore real-world challenges. You¿ll also gain experience with systems thinking and futures mapping¿skills that are increasingly valued in sustainability-related careers. Whether you're passionate about climate action, curious about global environmental politics, or looking to understand how societies can transition toward sustainability, GEG135 offers a rich and engaging foundation. Cymraeg Mae'r modiwl yma yn archwilio¿r heriau brys sy¿n deillio o newid hinsawdd a¿r argyfwng cynaliadwyedd ehangach o safbwynt ryngddisgyblaethol a deinamig. Yn yr modiwl rhyngweithiol yma, byddwch yn archwilio gwyddoniaeth, gwleidyddiaeth a realiti byw¿r argyfwng hinsawdd. Byddwch yn dysgu sut mae cymdeithasau wedi siapio¿r blaned, sut mae newid hinsawdd yn effeithio ar bobl ac ecosystemau, a sut y gallwn ddychmygu a chreu dyfodol mwy cynaliadwy. Drwy ddarlithoedd, dadleuon, astudiaethau achos ac efelychiad trafodaeth hinsawdd ymarferol, byddwch yn datblygu sgiliau meddwl beirniadol ac yn archwilio heriau¿r byd go iawn. Byddwch hefyd yn meithrin profiad o feddwl systemig a mapio¿r dyfodol¿sgiliau sy¿n gynyddol werthfawr mewn gyrfaoedd sy¿n ymwneud â chynaliadwyedd. P¿un a ydych yn angerddol am weithredu ar newid hinsawdd, yn chwilfrydig am wleidyddiaeth amgylcheddol fyd-eang, neu¿n awyddus i ddeall sut y gall cymdeithasau bontio tuag at gynaliadwyedd, mae GEG135 yn cynnig sylfaen gyfoethog a chyffrous.
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GEG252SI Geographical Fieldwork Skills: Isles of Scilly
The module is concerned with identifying and defining climate and environment change questions within the Isle of Scilly, which serves as an example of a region with unique habitats and climate in the UK and applying relevant environmental and climate science skills, knowledge and techniques to these questions. The general aims are to observe, analyse and achieve an understanding of the varied micro-climates and habitat features of the Isle of Scilly. Students taking this module will gain experience in research design, methodologies, data analysis and presentation methods, including seminars, posters and reports. Students taking this field course focus on both climate change, sustainable living and the environment and conduct project work appropriate to their specialism. The module comprises preparatory sessions in Swansea during teaching block 2 and one week field course, which typically runs in the last week of teaching block 2.
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GEG363 Volcanology
In this module, students will study magmatic and volcanic processes, from source to surface. We will follow the journey of magma, from its production inside the Earth, to eruption at the surface through volcanoes, and injection of volcanic ash and gases into the atmosphere. The module will cover magma generation, storage and evolution, ascent and eruption. Students will gain an understanding of processes underpinning eruptive styles and interpretation of these processes from the volcanic products. The module also explores how volcanism affects our planet¿s climate. Delivery of the module will include a combination of on-campus sessions and a field course to the Eifel Volcanic Field (Germany). The field course will enable in-situ study of diverse volcanic landforms and products, formed via a wide range of eruptive styles, including effusive and explosive eruptions. During the field course, students will study various aspects of volcanic geology, including learning how to observe, measure and interpret volcanic rocks and deposits. The module has a strong geological focus, and therefore a keen interest in geology and some previous knowledge of geology is highly recommended.
Career History
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Professor of Physical Geography, Swansea University
2012 - Present
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Reader, Swansea University
2011 - 2012
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Senior Lecturer, Swansea University
2008 - 2011
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Lecturer, Swansea University
2004 - 2008
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Post-doctoral research assistant, University of Copenhagen
2003 - 2004
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Post-doctoral research assistant, Stockholm University
2002 - 2003
Other Roles
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Director of Recruitment and Marketing , College of Science, Swansea University
2012 - Present
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President, INQUA International, Tephrochronology and Volcanism
2007 - 2011
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Awards Officer, Quaternary Research Association
2010 - 2013
Key Grants and Projects
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BRITICE-CHRONO Constraining rate and style of marine influenced ice-sheet decay 2012 - 2017
(NERC Consortium) University of Sheffield, Principal Investigator: Clark, C
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TRACE Tephra constraints on RApid Climatic Events 2006 - 2011
European Research Council (ERC) Independent Starting Grant (Project no. 259253). Principal Investigator. , €1,471,116.80
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Holocene tephra constraints on the timing of millennial-scale variability in the subpolar North Atlantic. 2006 - 2011
Principal Investigator: Austin, WEN. Co-Investigators Davies, SM & Cage, AG., NERC Small grant (NE/H012273/1) , £51,767
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Reconstructing 8000 years of Environmental and Landscape change in the Cairngorms. 2006 - 2011
Principal Investigator: Wilson, R. Co-Investigators: Edwards, KJ & Davies, SM., Leverhulme Trust (F/00 268/BG) , £248,715
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Synchronising marine and ice-core records using tephrochronology (SMART) 2011 - 2016
Principal Investigator; Co-Investigators: Austin, WEN and Pearce, NJG., NERC Standard grant (NE/F020600/1)
