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New Study Improves Precision of Volcanic Dating Methods
Developing
In Short: A new study published in the journal Science Advances has improved the precision of the argon-argon dating method, which measures the ratio of isotopes within the element argon to determine the ages of rocks and volcanic materials.
A new study published in the journal Science Advances has improved the precision of the argon-argon dating method, which measures the ratio of isotopes within the element argon to determine the ages of rocks and volcanic materials.
To test this method, researchers used eight samples of potassium-containing volcanic mineral sanidine from Vesuvius. The team calibrated their findings using the well-documented destruction of Pompeii on August 24, 79 CE.
According to the study, this more accurate dating method will help calibrate radiocarbon dating, a widely used technique for determining the age of organic materials.
The team's goal is to unify various geologic dating methods by applying the same mathematical approach and incorporating more observational data.
The precise dating of Vesuvius' eruption and other volcanic events can now be more accurately determined, which is crucial for understanding past eruptions and predicting future risks to cities like Mexico City, Naples, and Yogyakarta.
What's still developing
- The detail in Pliny the Younger’s account and the inferred eruption date of August 24, 79 CE has provided scientists and archaeologists with a benchmark method for dating not only Vesuvius’ eruptions, but other volcanic events as well.