Mt erebus debris8/27/2023 Technical Description: Nuclides produced by cosmic rays in rocks at the surface of the earth are widely used for Quaternary geochronology and geomorphic studies and their use is increasing every year. Identification of the accurate theory will enable use of the cosmogenic surface dating methods anywhere on earth. The accurate cosmic-ray theory will be the one that gives the same ages as the 40Ar/39Ar dating. The two cosmic-ray theories will be used to calculate the ages of the samples using the 36Cl and 3He concentrations and will then be compared to the ages calculated from the 40Ar/39Ar dating. The age of eruption of the samples will be determined using a highly accurate method that does not depend on cosmic rays, called 40Ar/39Ar dating. The research team will collect rocks from lava flows on an active volcano in Antarctica named Mount Erebus and measure the amounts of two rare isotopes: 36Cl and 3He. This study involves both field and lab research and includes a Ph.D. Measurements from a site that is at both high altitude and high latitude (close to the poles) are needed to test the two theories. Currently there are two remaining theories, narrowed down from many, of how to calculate this distribution. The distribution of cosmic rays around the globe depends on Earth's magnetic field, and this distribution must be accurately known if useful exposure ages are to be obtained. Measuring the quantity of the rare isotopes enables the length of time that the rock or soil has been exposed to the atmosphere to be calculated. Some cosmic rays reach Earth's surface and produce nuclear reactions that result in rare isotopes. This method takes advantage of cosmic rays, which are powerful protons and neutrons produced by supernova that constantly bombard the Earth's atmosphere. Nontechnical Description: The age of rocks and soils at the surface of the Earth can help answer multiple questions that are important for human welfare, including: when did volcanoes erupt and are they likely to erupt again? when did glaciers advance and what do they tell us about climate? what is the frequency of hazards such as landslides, floods, and debris flows? how long does it take soils to form and is erosion of soils going to make farming unsustainable? One method that is used thousands of times every year to address these questions is called 'cosmogenic surface-exposure dating'.
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