Identify and compositionally characterize major correlatable tephra datums
Obtain comparable probe & grain-specific ICP analyses of glass from source volcanoes (may involve additional sampling)
Improve the marine sediment-based, lacustrine & ice-core tephra records, to enable more accurate environmental correlations and constructing a more complete picture of the volcanism on the continent, especially in Pleistocene—Holocene-time
Encourage new drilling of ice-filled calderas for more complete tephra and climate records
Identify the major factors affecting the preservation of glassy proximal deposits
Quantify effects of remobilization of pyroclastic material following eruption
Discriminate between primary volcanic and sedimentary processes