Vesuvius Eruption Dates Argon-Argon Dating Calibration to Within a Decade
A new study published in Science Advances demonstrates that argon-argon dating can accurately date the 79 CE eruption of Mount Vesuvius to within 13 years. By using pumice samples from the eruption and comparing them to the historical date recorded by Pliny the Younger, researchers at the Berkeley Geochronology Center and UC Berkeley refined the calibration of this radiometric technique. This improvement allows scientists to date other recent volcanic events with greater precision, enhancing the ability to predict future eruptions and synchronize geological timelines across Earth's history.