Radiocarbon dating range

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Radiometric dating calculates an age in years for geologic materials by measuring the presence of a short-life radioactive element, e. The term applies to all methods of age determination based on nuclear decay of naturally occurring radioactive isotopes. Bates and Jackson To determine the ages in years of Earth materials and the timing of geologic events such as exhumation and subduction, geologists utilize the process of radiometric decay. Geologists use these dates to further define the boundaries of the geologic periods shown on the geologic time scale. Radiometric decay occurs when the nucleus of a radioactive atom spontaneously transforms into an atomic nucleus of a different, more stable isotope. This transformation happens via the emission of particles such as electrons known as beta decay and alpha particles. For instance, rubidium 87Rb , an unstable element, becomes strontium 87Sr , a stable element, via beta decay. In addition the neutron emits a neutral particle that is called an antineutrino.

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About 75 years ago, Williard F. Libby, a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Chicago, predicted that a radioactive isotope of carbon, known as carbon, would be found to occur in nature. Since carbon is fundamental to life, occurring along with hydrogen in all organic compounds, the detection of such an isotope might form the basis for a method to establish the age of ancient materials.

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Applying Carbon-14 Dating to Recent Human Remains

The parameters used for the corrections have been obtained through precise radiocarbon dating of thousands of samples taken from known-age tree rings of oak, sequoia, and fir up to about 13, BP. Beyond that, back to about 55, BP, correlation is made using multiple lines of evidence. This information is compiled into internationally accepted databases which are updated on occasion.

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