High-resolution sulfur isotopic composition measurements of volcanic sulfate from Toba candidate eruptions preserved in EDML and EDC Antarctic ice cores

Multiple peaks in sulfate concentration in ice cores have been identified as potential candidates for the ~74 ka Toba supereruption. The sulfur isotopic composition of sulfate preserved in two EPICA Antarctic ice cores, EDML and EDC, for 11 of the candidates has been analysed at high temporal resolution for mass-independent fractionation (MIF) using multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. S-MIF signals preserved in volcanic sulfate are indicative of stratospheric eruptions due to sulfur aerosols being exposed to ultraviolet radiation when erupted into and above the ozone layer and subsequently undergoing photochemical reactions. Sulfur aerosols in the stratosphere will have longer residence times than those in the troposphere and will scatter incoming solar radiation. This data set includes the eruption, sample type, depths, ages (using the AICC2012 age model), sulfate concentration (determined by ion chromatography) and isotopic composition data (δ34S, δ33S, Δ33S) and their associated errors.