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Letter LGeology glossary

Lichenometry

Lichenometry is a geochronological technique that uses the size of lichen colonies to estimate the age of exposed rock surfaces, particularly in glacial and periglacial environments. This method is valuable in studying the timing of glacial retreat, rockfall events, and other geomorphological processes.

Yellow and green lichens growing on rock surface (Lithification)
Fig. 1 Yellow and green lichens growing on rock surface (Lithification)

Source Innes, J. L. (1985). “Lichenometry.” Progress in Physical Geography, 9(2), 187-254.

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