Articles | Volume 4, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-617-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-617-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
15 Sep 2022
Research article |
| 15 Sep 2022
| 15 Sep 2022
230Th ∕ U isochron dating of cryogenic cave carbonates
Paul Töchterle
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Institute of Geology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020,
Austria
Simon D. Steidle
Institute of Geology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020,
Austria
R. Lawrence Edwards
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of
Minnesota, Minneapolis, 55455, MN, USA
Yuri Dublyansky
Institute of Geology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020,
Austria
Christoph Spötl
Institute of Geology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020,
Austria
Xianglei Li
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of
Minnesota, Minneapolis, 55455, MN, USA
John Gunn
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
Gina E. Moseley
Institute of Geology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020,
Austria
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Manuscript not accepted for further review
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Short summary
Cryogenic cave carbonates (CCCs) provide a marker for past permafrost conditions. Their formation age is determined by Th / U dating. However, samples can be contaminated with small amounts of Th at formation, which can cause inaccurate ages and require correction. We analysed multiple CCCs and found that varying degrees of contamination can cause an apparent spread of ages, when samples actually formed within distinguishable freezing events. A correction method using isochrons is presented.
Cryogenic cave carbonates (CCCs) provide a marker for past permafrost conditions. Their...
