The Accumulation of Cosmogenic Chlorine-36 in Rocks: a Method for Surface Exposure Dating
- 3 January 1986
- journal article
- other
- Published by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Science
- Vol. 231 (4733) , 41-43
- https://doi.org/10.1126/science.231.4733.41
Abstract
Because of the reaction of cosmic rays with elements in minerals, chlorine-36 accumulates in rocks exposed at the earth's surface. This suggests that the ratio of chlorine-36 to stable chloride can be used as a geochronometer. Reasonable agreement has been obtained between measurements of chlorine-36 in volcanic rocks of known age and calculations of chlorine-36 production based on rock composition and cosmicray flux. The buildup of chlorine-36 should be a useful means for measuring the surface exposure time of young volcanic rocks and geomorphic features in the age range of 103 to 106 years.Keywords
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