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Here's how it works. A volcano explodes over a landscape four million years ago. During the explosion, Argon gas trapped within the lava is expelled. This leaves the lava Argon-free. As the lava cools, it hardens. Potassium, naturally occurring in the lava, is made-up of a mixture of radioactive Potassium-40 and non-radioactive Potassium-39. Over time the radioactive Potassium-40 breaks down into Argon-40 which is trapped in the structure of the hardened lava. From the amount of Argon found in the lava and the rate at which the Potassium-40 decays into Argon-40, scientists are able to determine the age of the lava.
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoSometimes. Lava itself does not contain much carbon and comes from material too old for there to be detectable levels of carbon 14. It is possible, though, to use carbon-14 dating if there are remnants of organic matter that was trapped under a lava flow.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoIn general, no. It may be possible in some special cases where the lava contains embedded organic material (plants and animals that were caught in the lava flow), or where there are significant inclusions of air (due to carbon dioxide in the air). But the rock that makes up lava has very little carbon content, and it wouldn't necessarily be of any help in dating it anyway, since it came from underground and was only very briefly exposed to atmospheric 14C.
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What is the lava in the lava lamps?
Colored paraffin wax and waterThe lava in a lava lamp is made out of oil, water, and carbon tetrachloride, commonly used in fire extinguishers.
Who invented the method of radioactive dating used for the Turin Shroud?
The method of radioactive dating used for the Turin Shroud was 'radiocarbon dating' and was invented by Willard Libby.Source and for more information please see:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiocarbon_dating
What is the stuff that floats in lava lamps?
Wax mixed with carbon tetrachloride (a non-flammable solvent) is commonly used.
What information is obtained from radioactive dating?
The age of an object that was once living.
Radiocarbon dating is used to date?
No. radio carbon dating is only efficient for the fossils of plants or animals. As pottery is an abiotic substance its age cannot be determined by carbon dating
Is lava a hawaiian word?
Yes, "lava" is a Hawaiian word that means "to erupt" or "make lava". It is commonly used to refer to the molten rock that flows from volcanoes.
Why not use igneous rocks with relative dating?
Igneous rock is formed by lava. A fossil can't be contained in lava because it would be destroyed. So, no fossil is near lava so igneous rock can't be used for relative dating.
Why is all lava not the same?
it is referred to as lava when it is above ground, when below ground it is referred to as magma
An opening in earth's crust from which lava flows is a?
Crater or vent. Sometimes lava also comes from fissures as well. However crater is the most commonly used term.
Why are igneous rock most often used in radiometric dating?
Their radioactive clock is set when they solidify from magma or lava.
How can stop lava?
Different methods have been used including: breaching the sides of a lava tube or channel, diverting the flow, constructing barriers, and bombing the lava flow. Another way to stop a lava flow is to increase the lava flow's viscosity by spraying it with water, increasing the rate at which gas escapes from the flow, stirring the flow, or seeding the flow with foreign nuclei .In Italy, engineers have installed retaining walls to try and slow down lava flows coming down the side of Mount Etna, on the island of Sicily. These walls did slow down the lava flows enough that they didn't reach inhabited land. In Hawaii, engineers bombed narrow lava tubes, forcing the lava to lose energy. And in Iceland, firefighters sprayed water on lava flows for nearly 5 months, cooling it so that it solidified early and didn't block an important port.
What is used to provide the most accurate measurement of a fossils age?
The most accurate dating of a fossil would be provided by the radiometric dating of isotopically datable rock found in association with the sedimentary rock containing the fossil. Because sedimentary rock is composed largely of pre-existing rock, the fossil could not directly be dated isotopically. However, igneous intrusions, lava flows, and tuff which is found in the same strata, can be dated in this manner.
What is lava used for?
Lava itself is not 'used', but solidified lava has many uses. Scoria can be used as decorative stone, and pumice can be used as an abrasive. Obsidian is used in jewelry.
What can solidified lava be used for?
Pumis (lava rock) can be used in liquid soaps to remove grease and oils.
What is the lava in the lava lamps?
Colored paraffin wax and waterThe lava in a lava lamp is made out of oil, water, and carbon tetrachloride, commonly used in fire extinguishers.
Are there volcano proof surfboards?
No. Surfboards are genally made from polurethane or wood, so they could not withstand the heat from volcanic material. There is no reason that anyone should go through the trouble of making such a thing, as surfboards are made to be used in water.Note that even if you could find a surfboard that could withstand such heat, you still could not surf lava for several reasons:Lava does not behave like water; it is far more viscous.Many lava flows will develop a rocky crust.The heat radiated from any substantial amount of lava at close range is unbearable if not lethal.Lava flows are often accompanied by toxic gasses.Getting splattered by even a small amount of lava would cause serious burns.
What is purpose for making a lava lamp?
lava lamps are used to have something cool in your house
