Which dating method would be most appropriate for establishing the age of a volcanic ash layer from an early hominid site in eastern Africa?
A)14C dating
B)amino acid dating
C)40K/40Ar dating
D)electron spin resonance dating

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most appropriate dating method for establishing the age of a volcanic ash layer from an early hominid site in eastern Africa is 40K/40Ar dating. This method is used to date rocks and minerals by measuring the amount of Argon-40, a stable decay product of Potassium-40, which is commonly found in volcanic rocks. Because volcanic ash layers are formed from the eruption of a volcano, they can be dated by this method to determine the age of the early hominid site in question. Carbon-14 dating, amino acid dating, and electron spin resonance dating are not appropriate methods for dating volcanic ash layers, as they are only applicable to organic samples or materials containing certain minerals, which would most likely not be found in volcanic ash.

Which Dating Method Would Be Most Appropriate for Establishing the Age