Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Thermoluminescence (Tl) Dating In Seismic Hazard Evaluations: An Example From The Bonneville Basin, Utah, James P. Mccalpin

James P. McCalpin

Thermoluminescence (TL) of minerals is the release of light when grains are heated to 1500 -5000 C. As sediments are buried longer they progressively acquire more TL from accumulated radiation damage from alpha, beta, and gamma rays and cosmic radiation. If the total amount of radiation dose received can be calculated, and the current dose rate measured, then dividing the total dose by the yearly dose rate will yield a TL age. Total doses are calculated by heating the sample until all TL is released, then re-irradiating the sample in the lab with known doses until the natural TL is …