Potassium Argon Dating

 

                                                                       Age Of Rocks

                                                        Potassium-Argon (K-Ar) Dating

Potassium-Argon (K-Ar) Dating is a radiometric dating method used to determine the age of rocks and minerals, especially volcanic materials. It's particularly valuable for dating ancient geological events, as it can be used to date samples millions to billions of years old.

Mount Vesuvius

Eruptions from ~17,000 years ago were accurately dated.

Lava flows can remain visible for thousands of years, with some lava tubes and flows being millions of years old. The age of a lava flow is determined by factors like the composition of the lava, the surrounding environment, and the rate of erosion. 

Mt. Vesuvius (Older Eruptions)

• What was dated: Lava from eruptions before the famous 79 AD eruption.
• Why it worked: Older lava flows (thousands of years) allowed for accurate argon accumulation.
• Result: Eruptions from ~17,000 years ago were accurately dated.
• Significance: Helped reconstruct the volcanic history of Vesuvius.

                                                          Snapshot