USGS - science for a changing world

Science Topics

Maps, Imagery, and Publications Hazards Newsroom Education Jobs Partnerships Library About USGS Podcasts/RSS
You are here: Methods > Laboratory methods > Isotopic analysis
Help
Radiometric dating
Methods for age determination of rocks and fossils by measuring the proportions of naturally occurring radioactive isotopes to their decay products.
Subtopics:
Carbon-14 analysis (2 items)
Rubidium-strontium analysis (2 items)
Uranium-lead analysis (2 items)
Uranium-thorium analysis (2 items)
Potassium-argon analysis (1 items)
Related topics:

Results 1 - 12 of 12 listed by similarity [list alphabetically]
How do geologists date rocks? Radiometric dating! [More info]
Explanation of how geologists date rocks (to determine the ages of the Earth, fossils, mineral deposits, and other geologic events) and processes using radiometric dating techniques based on radioactive isotopes of carbon and potassium/argon.
Periodic table page [More info]
An "image map" periodic table and short notes about many isotopes and their applications to illustrate the uses of assorted isotopes in hydrology, geology, and biology.
Carolina slate belt gold deposits in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia [More info]
Report of research on the Carolina slate belt and gold deposits in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia with geologic mapping, mineralogic, geochemical, and fluid evolution studies, radiogenic dating, and stable isotope studies.
Geochemical sediment analysis procedures [More info]
Manual of chemical sediment analysis using Coulometer and CHN Analyzers to measure carbon content, spectrometric analysis for biogenic silica, and radiochemistry to measure isotopes. Includes techniques,sample preparation, and safety procedures.
Geochronology [More info]
Description of the methods of geochronology used to estimate the dating of rocks and sediments with links to technique, equipment and contacts for a variety of methods.
Geochronology (Western Earth Surface Processes Team) [More info]
Description of the methods of geochronology, the science of dating, used by USGS scientists in geological research.
Geologic time online edition [More info]
Booklet giving general explanations of geologic time, major divisions of geologic time, relative and radiometric time scales, index fossils, and the age of the earth.
Geological Survey TRIGA Reactor (GSTR) Services [More info]
Services available at the Geological Survey TRIGA Reactor (GSTR) site in Denver with information on irradiation, neutron activation analysis, fission track radiography, and geochronology and tours of the facility.
PDF Holocene evolution of Apalachicola Bay, Florida [More info]
Geophysical surveying, combined with analysis of sediment cores and radiometric dating were used to describe the likely history of formation of this area.
PDF Precambrian Time - The Story of the Early Earth [More info]
Explains what we know about the early history of the earth and how we study the deposits formed during that time to understand the formation of the earth and life.
Reston Chlorofluorocarbon Laboratory [More info]
Site on the Chlorofluorocarbon Laboratory and its analytical services for CFCs, sulfur hexafluoride, dissolved gases including nitrogen, argon, methane, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and helium, and tritium/helium-3 dating.
The chronology for the d18O record from Devils Hole, Nevada, extended into the Mid-Holocene [More info]
This study extends the oxygen isotope record of this important paleoclimate record forward in time to cover more recent history, up to 4,500 years before present.
Alphabetical Index of Topics a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices

Take Pride in America logo USA.gov logo U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://www.usgs.gov/science//science/science.php?term=954&type=theme
Page Contact Information: Ask USGS