Abstract
This article is an overview of the various dating techniques relevant to the Quaternary sciences. Many different methods are used to estimate the ages of Quaternary deposits using, for example, the decay or ingrowth of radionuclides, or the buildup of radiation dose measured in different ways. Other methods compare the growth of annual bands in trees or sediments. More qualitative techniques compare the correlation of layers of identifiable materials such as volcanic ash layers, paleomagnetic signals, and biostratigraphic changes.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Encyclopedia of Quaternary Science |
Publisher | Elsevier Science Ltd. |
Pages | 453-459 |
Number of pages | 7 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9780444527479 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2006 |
Keywords
- Accelerator mass spectrometry
- Age determination
- Amino acid racemization
- Atom counting
- Luminescence
- Radiocarbon dating
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Earth and Planetary Sciences