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During a volcanic eruption molten material called magma comes out of the volcano, cools and solidifies on the surface of the earth forming basalt - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 18 - 2006 - Paper 1
Question 18
During a volcanic eruption molten material called magma comes out of the volcano, cools and solidifies on the surface of the earth forming basalt. Volcanic ash, also... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:During a volcanic eruption molten material called magma comes out of the volcano, cools and solidifies on the surface of the earth forming basalt - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 18 - 2006 - Paper 1
Step 1
C. radioactive elements within the basalt can be accurately dated.
Answer
The most reliable method to date geological materials is through the use of radioactive dating. This method allows scientists to determine the age of the basalt by measuring the decay of radioactive isotopes contained in it. By knowing the half-life of these isotopes, we can accurately estimate when the magma solidified into basalt. This, in turn, helps us understand the chronological placement of the fossils found in the volcanic ash layers, as they formed after the basalt.