Dating

Tephra analysis

Tephra are products of volcanoes deposited in the aftermath of an eruption. Many of these microscopic glass shards have a characteristic chemical signature which links the tephra layer to a volcano and often to a specific eruption. Thus tephra horizons in sediments can often be connected with an eruption of known date.

Reilly, Dr Eileen___email: ereilly@ipean.ie

SCP, Spheroidal Carbonaceous Particle analysis

Dating by SCP is based on fly ash concentration from industrial burning. This creates marker horizons in sediment samples. Initial widespread occurrence in Ireland dates to ca AD 1850 and peaks around 1980.

Stefanini, Dr Bettina___email: bstefanini@ipean.ie

Radiocarbon dating

The Chrono Centre, Queen's University, Belfast

Beta Analytic, Miami, USA

Dendrochronology

The Chrono Centre, Queen's University, Belfast