tephrochronology
Volcanic layer dating
Tephrochronology is a dating method that uses layers of volcanic ash (tephra) to establish timelines in geological and archaeological contexts.
Each volcanic eruption produces chemically distinct ash that settles over wide areas, creating time markers.
By identifying and matching these ash layers across different sites, researchers can correlate and date sediments, ice cores, and artifacts: Tephrochronology helped establish when early humans occupied the site.
Ejected volcanic material
- pyroclasticHot eruption debris
- pumiceLightweight volcanic abrasive
- scoriaPorous volcanic ejecta
- tuffSolidified volcanic ash
eruption · fallout · airfall · ashfall · deposit · layer · explosive · distal
Study of geological ages
- radiocarbonDecaying carbon isotope
- potassium-argonIsotopic age-determination technique
- thermoluminescenceLight from heated irradiated material
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
correlation · synchronization · isochronous · dendrochronology
Single thickness of material
- stratumHorizontal layer of material
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- coreCentral essential portion
- outcropSurfacing native stone
section · sequence · deposit · horizon · sedimentology · peat · loess · marine
Study of prehistoric climates
- archaeologyStudy of physical remnants
- paleontologyStudy of ancient organisms
- paleoecologyStudy of prehistoric ecosystems
- quaternaryFourth-order or four-bonded
pollen · diatoms · prehistoric · settlement
tephra
Ejected volcanic material
- pyroclasticHot eruption debris
- pumiceLightweight volcanic abrasive
- scoriaPorous volcanic ejecta
tuff · eruption · fallout · airfall · ashfall · deposit · layer · explosive · distal · proximal
geochronology
Study of geological ages
- radiocarbonDecaying carbon isotope
- potassium-argonIsotopic age-determination technique
- thermoluminescenceLight from heated irradiated material
calibration · correlation · synchronization · isochronous · dendrochronology
layer
Single thickness of material
- stratumHorizontal layer of material
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- coreCentral essential portion
outcrop · section · sequence · deposit · horizon · sedimentology · peat · loess · marine · terrestrial
paleoclimatology
Study of prehistoric climates
- archaeologyStudy of physical remnants
- paleontologyStudy of ancient organisms
- paleoecologyStudy of prehistoric ecosystems
quaternary · pollen · diatoms · prehistoric · settlement
- Dating Methodsradiocarbon dating, carbon dating, carbon-14 dating, radiometric dating, absolute dating
- paleoclimatepaleoclimate, ice age, ice ages, ice cores, ice core
- Ice Ageice age, mammoths, saber-tooth cat, mammoth, woolly mammoth