Synthesis: stratigraphy and age control for IODP Sites U1394, U1395, and U1396 offshore Montserrat in the Lesser Antilles

This data report focuses on Holes U1394B, U1395B, and U1396C located offshore Montserrat. These holes were drilled during Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 340 and contain deposits associated with the growth and decay of the volcanic island of Montserrat. Hole U1394B dates to ~353 ka and is composed of 17 bioclastic turbidites, 24 mixed turbidites, 55 volcaniclastic turbidites, and 32 tephra fall layers within a background stratigraphy of hemipelagic marine mud. Hole U1395B dates to older than 1 Ma and contains 18 bioclastic turbidites, 27 mixed turbidites, 43 volcaniclastic turbidites, and 52 tephra fall layers. The uppermost 7 m of Hole U1396C covers ~1 My of stratigraphy and contains 1 bioclastic turbidite, 1 mixed turbidite, 9 volcaniclastic turbidites, and 13 tephra fall layers. Tephra fall and some volcaniclastic deposits are associated with episodes of island building, whereas bioclastic turbidites, mixed turbidites, and some volcaniclastic turbidites are associated with large landslide events from Montserrat.