Facilities: Reno
E.L. Cord Geochronology Laboratory (G. Berger)

Luminescence dating can measure the time elapsed since the last exposure to sunshine or since the last heating. DRI's Luminescence Geochronology Laboratory has the capacity to determine the burial age of feldspar and quartz bearing sediments, from a range of a few decades to several hundred thousand years, depending upon sample conditions. Eolian, some alluvial, some lacustrine, some fluvial, and some marine deposits are suitable targets. Thus, geological, paleoseismic, archeological, anthropological and paleoenvironmental chronology problems can be tackled that are either outside the range of other dating methods or for which suitable materials for use by other methods are not available. In addition to use of the traditional multi-aliquot thermoluminescence (TL) methods (e.g., useful for samples older than ca. 200,000 yrs), the laboratory has the instrumental capacity to apply the several varieties of photon-stimulated-luminescence (PSL, often termed OSL [Berger, 1986]) dating, most useful for samples younger than ca. 200,000 yrs. These include multi-aliquot, single-aliquot and single-grain PSL procedures.

Dr. Glenn Berger directs the E.L. Cord Geochronology Laboratory that has the latest equipment for luminescence dating. Examples of recent applications and tests can be viewed at http://www.dri.edu/People/gwberger.

Further information can be obtained by phoning 775-673-7354 or via Email at Glenn.Berger@dri.edu