relative vs absolute dating
Relative Vs. Absolute Dating
Our planet inherits a large number of artifacts and monuments bestowed upon us by older historic civilizations. These remains are subjected to dating techniques in order to predict their ages and trace their history. This Buzzle article enlists the differences between the absolute and relative dating methods.
Did You Know?
Although both relative and absolute dating methods are used to estimate the age of historical remains, the results produced by both these techniques for the same sample may be ambiguous.Relative Dating Vs. Absolute Dating
➤ It determines if an object/event is younger or older than another object/event from history.
➤ It determines the age of a rock/object using radiometric techniques.
➤ Relative dating is qualitative.
➤ Absolute dating is quantitative.
➤ This technique helps determine the relative age of the remains.
➤ This technique helps determine the exact age of the remains.
➤ It is less specific than absolute dating.
➤ It is more specific than relative dating.
➤ Relative dating is comparatively less expensive and time-efficient.
➤ Absolute dating is expensive and time-consuming.
➤ It works best for sedimentary rocks having layered arrangement of sediments.
➤ It works best for igneous and metamorphic rocks.
➤ The following are the major methods of relative dating.
Stratigraphy: The oldest dating method which studies the successive placement of layers. It is based on the concept that the lowest layer is the oldest and the topmost layer is the youngest.
Biostratigraphy: An extended version of stratigraphy where the faunal deposits are used to establish dating. Faunal deposits include remains and fossils of dead animals.
Cross dating: This method compares the age of remains or fossils found in a layer with the ones found in other layers. The comparison helps establish the relative age of these remains.
Fluorine dating: Bones from fossils absorb fluorine from the groundwater. The amount of fluorine absorbed indicates how long the fossil has been buried in the sediments.
➤ The following are the major methods of relative dating.
Radiometric dating: This technique solely depends on the traces of radioactive isotopes found in fossils. The rate of decay of these elements helps determine their age, and in turn the age of the rocks.
Amino acid dating: Physical structure of living beings depends on the protein content in their bodies. The changes in this content help determine the relative age of these fossils.
Dendrochronology: Each tree has growth rings in its trunk. This technique dates the time period during which these rings were formed.
Thermoluminescence: It determines the period during which certain object was last subjected to heat. It is based on the concept that heated objects absorb light, and emit electrons. The emissions are measured to compute the age.
Differentiation Using a Venn Diagram
A Venn diagram depicts both dating methods as two individual sets. The area of intersection of both sets depicts the functions common to both. Take a look at the diagram to understand their common functions.
- Provide an idea of the sequence in which events have occurred.
- Determine the age of fossils, rocks, or ancient monuments.