Group 4 Members

YU, ANIKA MAIA, N.

PANTUA, KATHLEEN GRACE, M.
MUTIA, HANS RAFAEL, M.
FERNANDEZ, PAUL SIMON , C.
VALLES, JAN JOSHUA, J.
 Earth Science
(COR 5s)

GROUP 4

Depths of Rock Dating

through Absolute
Methods​
 1 INTRODUCTION

AGENDA 2

3
LITERATURE REVIEW

GUIDE QUESTIONS RESPONSES

4 REFLECTION ON SIGNIFICANCE

5 CONCLUSION

6 REFERENCES
INTRODUCTION
So what is absolute and relative dating?
In this series of slides we will be explaining absolute and
relative dating, and we will be exploring different laws that is
relevant in the process of dating.
LITERATURE
The absolute dating methods provide chronological
estimates of the age of certain geological materials

REVIEW
associated with fossils, and even direct age measurements
of the fossil material itself. To establish the age of a rock or
a fossil, researchers use some type of clock to determine
the date it was formed. Geologists commonly use
radiometric dating methods, based on the natural
radioactive decay of certain elements such as potassium
and carbon, as reliable clocks to date ancient events
 LITERATURE REVIEW
Geologists also use other methods - such as electron
spin resonance and thermoluminescence, which assess
the effects of radioactivity on the accumulation of
electrons in imperfections, or "traps," in the crystal
structure of a mineral to determine the age of the
rocks or fossils. All elements contain protons and
neutrons, located in the atomic nucleus, and electrons
that orbit around the nucleus. In each element, the
number of protons is constant while the number of
neutrons and electrons can vary.
 What are the key principles and techniques involved in the
absolute dating of rocks?​

How do scientists employ radiometric dating to determine the

absolute age of rocks?​

Guide
question What are the limitations and challenges associated with
absolute dating methods?

responses How accurate and reliable are the results obtained from
absolute dating techniques?​

What recent advancements or innovations have improved the

accuracy of rock dating methods?​
What are the key principles and techniques involved
in the absolute dating of rocks?​
Radiocarbon dating: This technique
evaluates the decay of Carbon-14 in organic
materials, providing an estimate of their
age.
Dendrochronology: By analyzing annual
growth rings in trees, this method establishes
precise timelines for dating.
Thermoluminescence: Used in pottery dating,
it examines electrons released during past
heating to determine the material's age.
Fission-track dating: This method studies
damage trails from uranium-238 fission,
offering insights into material age.
K-Ar and Ar-Ar methods: These approaches
measure argon gas ratios in volcanic rock,
estimating time since solidification.
Archaeomagnetic dating: By analyzing
magnetic particles in geological materials,
this technique tracks changes in the Earth's
magnetic field, aiding in dating.
How do scientists employ radiometric dating to
determine the absolute age of rocks?​

Scientists measure the particles that rocks contain by comparing

their original state to what they've turned into. This can help them
determine how long it's been since the formation of the rock, this is
somewhat similar to looking at a clock to see how much time has
passed.
What are the limitations and challenges associated
with absolute dating methods?
There are significant limitations to absolute
dating techniques, which are crucial for
paleontological and archaeological research.
They are not precise enough to give an exact
date; they can only give a relative age. For
instance, radiocarbon dating calculates the age
of a sample but does not provide the year of
origin. This makes it more difficult to pinpoint
exact dates for locations or occurrences.
The fact that absolute dating is prone to
contamination due to environmental contact
presents another difficulty because it can introduce
errors. These techniques also have basic accuracy
limits, which frequently result in outcomes with an
amount of error. In addition, absolute dating
techniques are valuable but should be used with
caution because of limitations which include
imprecise dating, contamination issues, and
natural error margins.
What recent advancements or innovations have
improved the accuracy of rock dating methods?​

In the areas of geology and archaeology, absolute dating methods are an essential
tool that have greatly enhanced our knowledge of the past. Although these
techniques are generally accurate and reliable, they have several drawbacks and
are capable of error. Scientists can arrive at more accurate and well-supported tests
of the age of ancient objects and geological formations by taking these aspects into
consideration and utilising various lines of evidence.
What recent advancements or innovations have
improved the accuracy of rock dating methods?​

There are no specific answers or details to this question; although,

through research, it is noted that scientists have undergone
significant improvements to the accuracy of their radiometric
dating methods. Especially since, our advancements in technology
have been very rapid in today’s modern world.
 REFLEction on significance
The article emphasizes how
dynamic the Earth's surface has
been over its 4.6 billion-year history,
showing how climate and
landscapes have changed
constantly. It illustrates how
geologists use radiometric and
relative dating techniques to
determine the age of fossils, offering
an insight into the significant
changes that have molded our
world. This realization helps us better
comprehend geological processes
and makes a substantial contribution
to the unraveling of the complex
story of life on Earth.
Geologists use the fundamental
stratigraphic concepts of original
horizontality, superposition, and
cross-cutting relationships to
ascertain the relative ages of
rocks. The piece also presents the
idea of faunal succession,
highlighting how the study of
fossils helps determine
chronological order. This method
improves the accuracy of
geological timelines by allowing
scientists to arrange events at a
particular location and to establish
wider correlations across various
regions.
The paper sheds light on the
complexities of radiometric dating, an
essential technique for determining the
precise ages of geological materials.
Geologists can determine the numerical
ages of rocks and fossils by
investigating the decay of radioactive
isotopes like carbon-14 and potassium-
40. Because of the accuracy of dating,
scientists are able to establish a
chronological framework that helps
them determine the exact times of
important geological events and the
emergence of different life forms.
Beyond the constraints of relative
dating techniques, radiometric dating
is a potent tool that allows us to
explore Earth's past.
Paleomagnetism shows how Earth's
magnetic field has reversed
throughout its history, adding yet
another dimension to the dating
toolbox. Geologists can associate
these magnetic patterns with
established geological time scales by
examining the orientation of
magnetic minerals in rocks. By
providing an independent
confirmation of age, this technique
improves dating accuracy and
deepens our understanding of the
dynamic interaction between Earth's
magnetic field and geological events.
Paleomagnetism is incorporated to
enhance the overall picture that the
combined dating methods paint.
 CONCLUSION
In conclusion, absolute dating methods, such as radiometric techniques, are needed for
establishing the chronological timelines of geological materials and fossils. While providing
valuable insights into Earth's history, these methods are not without it’s limitations, including
imprecise dating, susceptibility to contamination, and inherent accuracy constraints. The latest
technological advancements have most likely helped to improve dating accuracy, although
specific details are not defined. The significance of these methods lies in their ability to offer
numerical ages, aiding in the comprehension of geological processes and the evolution of life on
Earth. The incorporation of paleomagnetism further enhances dating accuracy, providing an
additional layer of confirmation for geological timelines.
REFERENCES
Dating rocks and fossils using geologic methods | Learn Science at Scitable.
(n.d.). https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/dating-rocks-
and-fossils-using-geologic-methods-107924044/

What are some limitations of absolute dating? – Sluiceartfair.com. (2019,

July 28). https://www.sluiceartfair.com/2019/popular-lifehacks/what-are-
some-limitations-of-absolute-dating/

Shende, S. (2023, August 25). Absolute dating in Archaeology |

Anthroholic. Anthroholic. https://anthroholic.com/absolute-dating