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Ways of finding absolute age

Ways of finding absolute age. absolute age: identifies actual age of a rock layer if actual time of two events is known, the length of time between two events can be calculated. (1) rates of erosion and deposition. example: Niagara Falls. (2) counting tree rings.

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Ways of finding absolute age

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  1. Ways of finding absolute age

  2. absolute age: identifies actual age of a rock layer • if actual time of two events is known, the length of time between two events can be calculated

  3. (1) rates of erosion and deposition example: Niagara Falls

  4. (2) counting tree rings

  5. (3) varve count: method for establishing age of certain sediment deposits • shows a yearly cycle- layers of light/dark bands • can form in any body of water; clearest in glacial ice

  6. (4) radioactive elements • elements that emit particles and energy while forming new isotopes or elements • each time a particle is released, the atom changes to a new, lighter element in process of radioactive decay

  7. radioactive decay is not affected by changes in temperature, pressure, or environmental changes

  8. half-life: the time it takes for half of the atoms of a radioactive element to decay • ranges from a second to billions of years

  9. carbon dating: an isotope of carbon used in radioactive dating • half life of carbon is 5,300 years • uses Carbon-14 • two problems: • (1) cannot use on rocks, only things once alive • (2) half-life for carbon is short

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