Opens in a new tab

Letter UGeology glossary

Uranium-Thorium Dating

Uranium-Thorium (U-Th) dating is a radiometric dating technique that measures the ratio of uranium to thorium isotopes to determine the age of calcium carbonate materials, such as corals and speleothems. This method is significant in geochronology for dating relatively young geological formations and for studying past climate changes.

Uranium decay chain from uranium to lead (Uranium-Thorium Dating)
Fig. 1 Uranium decay chain from uranium to lead (Uranium-Thorium Dating)

Source Edwards, R. L., Chen, J. H., & Wasserburg, G. J. (1987). “Uranium-Series Dating of Marine Carbonates Using Multiple Collectors.” Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 51(9), 2331-2338.

join.me

Geology made clear, in your inbox.

Get clear, visual explainers on rocks, minerals, deep time, and the most fascinating parts of Earth science from Geoscopy.