Dating Ice Cores: A deep dive into several techniques used to date ice cores

CategoryIce Core Science

Science Standards1) Science and Engineering Practices: Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Engaging in Argument from Evidence. 2) Disciplinary Core Ideas: Earth’s Systems; Earth and Human Activity. 3) Cross-Cutting Concepts: Patterns; Cause and Effect: Systems and System Models; Energy and Matter: Flows, Cycles, and Conservation; Stability and Change.

File TypeGoogle Doc with accompanying “Drill Deeper” video shorts

DescriptionClimate scientists use many different techniques to determine the age of the ice. In this ICE Lab we will explore four of the most common techniques.

Exploration #1: Dating by counting visible layers
Exploration #2: Dating by counting invisible layers of dust
Exploration #3: Dating using the geochemistry of volcanic ash layers
Exploration #4: Dating using fluctuations of ions from sea salt
Exploration #5: Dating using non-destructive testing: Measuring conductivity differences in the un-melted ice cores

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Teacher Notes

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