A new method of dating the geological record involves the correlation of characteristic sedimentary cycle patterns to computed time series of astronomical variations in the Earth's orbit and spin axis. This astronomical time scale has now been established for the past 10 million years, and has an unprecedented accuracy and precision of severeal thousand years. Important applications of the new time scale are manifold and include, for instance, studies of paleoclimate, seafloor spreading history and geomagnetic reversal frequency. The astronomical ages are highly consistent with those obtained by single-crystal laser-fusion (Ar/Ar) radiometric dating tecniques.

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Grondboor & Hamer

CC BY 3.0 NL ("Naamsvermelding")

Nederlandse Geologische Vereniging

C.G. Langereis, & F.J. Hilgen. (1996). Astronomisch dateren van de geologische tijdschaal. Grondboor & Hamer, 50(5), 116–122.