Uranium-thorium dating

The uranium -thorium dating ( also: uranium -series dating ) is a special form of radiometric dating. It is based on the radioactive decay of uranium isotopes that convert to the decay into thorium ( 230Th ). While the starting material is water soluble, it is not the final product. Thus dissolved 238U and 235U, for example, in water penetrate caves where they are bound in sinter deposits or stalagmites, which included at the time of their formation no uranium decay products. The radioactive clock starts to run, and by measuring the output and decay isotopes, the age of the calcification can be determined.

This dating method is to sample until about 500,000 years can be determined.

• Radiometric dating