A cryptotephra from the Upper Pleistocene volcanism of the Bas-Vivarais in the sedimentary infilling of the Chauvet-Pont d’Arc cave (Ardèche, France)

A cryptotephra belonging to the Upper Pleistocene volcanism of Bas-Vivarais was identified for first time in sedimentary infilling entrance area Chauvet-Pont d’Arc cave. This slightly reworked tephra fall is characterized by its heavy minerals assemblage, among which magnesian olivine, enstatite, and chromian diopside issued from peridotites olivine basaltic origin. composition likely refers a phreatomagmatic eruption maar crater. The 14C datings beds are contemporaneous with Aurignacian settlement paintings, that is, an age older or close 36 ka. Among craters Bas-Vivarais, Ray-Pic have closest 40Ar/39Ar (36.2±11.3/32.2±11.1 ka). By contrast, Vestide du Pal, biggest crater this country, seems younger age, but dating measured on basalt could occurred later been source fall, since tephras contain same unknown origin as those found Chauvet discovery strengthens previous hypothesis according humans living during Paleolithic witnessed eruptions volcanic field other phenomena.