More than 18 distinct, well-defined ash-rich layers were recognized from the piston core MD972142 raised offshore form northwestern Palawan during the IMAGES III ¡V IPHIS ¡V Leg II Cruise in the South China Sea. The thickness of these macroscopically recognizable ash layers varies from 0.5 cm to 10 cm with a mode of 4 cm. Microscopic examination of the ashes reveals that these ash layers consist of vitric, microlite-bearing and crystal-line components.