ESR dating of corals

Abstract

The ages of 24 coral samples from Barbados and the New Hebrides were determined simultaneously by ESR and another independent dating method (α- and MS-U-series and 14C). All parameters for ESR dating were determined, without cross-calibration, with another dating method (including thermal stability and effective α-efficiency). The results show a relatively good concordance. Furthermore, a systematic ESR dating study on the reef tracts of Barbados (83 samples) revealed satisfactory agreement between ESR and U-series data whereas previously published He U data seemed to show open system behaviour. The thermal stability of the ESR signal at g = 2.0007 (±0.0002) estimated to be in the range of 500 ka does not seem to have an apparent influence on the ESR results. Show more