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NUMERIC AGE DETERMINATION [1 record]

Record 1 2006-11-15

English

Subject field(s)
  • Chronology
  • Geology
CONT

Numerical age dating means establishing the approximate age in years of a particular layer of rock by analyzing the decay of radioactive elements. Radioactive decay occurs when an unstable form of a chemical element naturally converts to a stable form of another chemical element. Volcanic ash layers, for example, contain radioactive elements. When the ash layer forms, the radioactive elements begins to decay at a constant rate.

CONT

Calibration of the geological time scale requires numerical age determinations of distinct events in Earth history defined by the rock record.

OBS

numerical age determination: term used at Natural Resources Canada - Earth Sciences Sector.

Key term(s)
  • numeric age determination
  • numeric age dating

French

Domaine(s)
  • Chronologie
  • Géologie
CONT

Aujourd'hui, la mesure du temps primordial est fondée sur des méthodes de datation numérique et le perfectionnement de la datation par le radiocarbone met en lumière les nuances de sa résolution.

OBS

datation numérique : terme en usage à Ressources naturelles Canada - Secteur des sciences de la Terre.

Spanish

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