The Accumulation of Cosmogenic Chlorine-36 in Rocks: a Method for Surface Exposure Dating

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 chlor...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1986-01, Vol.231 (4733), p.41-43
Main Authors: Phillips, Fred M., Leavy, Brian D., Jannik, Nancy O., Elmore, David, Kubik, Peter W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atoms
Chemicals
Chlorides
Chlorine
Continental crust
Geochronology
Geological time
Geology
Physics
Radioactive dating
Radiometric dating
Radionuclides
Ratios
Rocks
Thermal neutrons
Volcanic rocks
Volcanoes
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Summary: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 10$^{3}$ to 10$^{6}$ years.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.231.4733.41