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Geomorphology at the CEREGE laboratory

Scientists at the CEREGE laboratory are measuring the cosmogenic nuclide concentrations of rock fragments. This absolute dating method determines how long a rock has been exposed to cosmic radiation.
20210103_0031
Cosmogenic nuclides are produced by nuclear reactions when a rock is exposed to cosmic rays and therefore accumulate from the moment the rock reaches the surface. The isotopes used for dating are beryllium 10, produced in quartz, chlorine 36, produced in basalts, or aluminium 26. The rock fragments are subject to a series of treatments, before being measured using the ASTER accelerator mass spectrometer. Scientists then calculate the nuclide content of the rock and determine its age of exposure to cosmic radiation.
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