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Science 3 January 1986:
Vol. 231. no. 4733, pp. 41 - 43
DOI: 10.1126/science.231.4733.41
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Articles

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

FRED M. PHILLIPS 1, BRIAN D. LEAVY 1, NANCY O. JANNIK 1, DAVID ELMORE 2, and PETER W. KUBIK 2

1 Geoscience Department and Geophysical Research Center, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro 87801.
2 Nuclear Structure Research Laboratory, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627.

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.

Submitted on July 22, 1985
Accepted on October 17, 1985


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