The effects of volcanic ash disturbances on a peat-forming environment: environmental disruption and taphonomic consequences

The maceral and palynological composition of the C coal bed (Upper Cretaceous), central Utah, was significantly affected by the periodic deposition of volcanic ash in the precursor peat mire. The coal bed contains four altered volcanic ash partings (tonsteins). We infer that deposition of the volcanic ash produced an environment conducive to the growth of ferns. We suggest that leaching of the volcanic ash created a semi-impermeable layer, which caused the ponding of surface water. -from Authors