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Thermoluminescence dating of volcanic plagioclases

Abstract

Thermoluminescence (TL) is a well-established archaeological dating1 technique but the most common mineral in volcanic rocks, plagioclase feldspar, is affected by ‘anomalous fading’ which prevents its use for dating lava flows. We describe here how the α contribution to annual dose rate is calculated. Plagioclase ages are compared with those obtained by 14C, K–Ar and TL dating on quartz. Our samples come from the Chaîne des Puys (Massif Central, France). We conclude that TL is a promising tool for dating continental lava flows in the range 3,000–300,000 yr BP.

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Guérin, G., Valladas, G. Thermoluminescence dating of volcanic plagioclases. Nature 286, 697–699 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1038/286697a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/286697a0

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