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Fission track dating

Fission tracks in the mineral apatite, viewed under a microscope

When uranium decays, subatomic particles split away. The particles leave tiny tracks in the crystal structure of minerals such as zircon and apatite.

Name: Fission track dating

Material used: Volcanic glass, zircon and other crystals

Age range: 10,000 to 500 million years ago

How it works: Measures radioactivity by counting tracks left in crystals by decaying uranium atoms

Glossary

Rights: Geotrack International Pty Limited, Melbourne
Published: 23 February 2022Size: 262.71 KB
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