Uranium-thorium dating of high sea terraces of the Spitsbergen Archipelago

Abstract

The 230Th/U dating results of the four mollusk shells located on the high sea terraces of the Spitsbergen Archipelago from 70 to 100 m heights were obtained. New age data were analyzed applying factors/ indicators which allow monitoring of the main theoretical positions of the uranium-thorium method. The 230Th/U ages determined were compared with dates obtained earlier by other geochronometric methods. The high sea terraces of the Spitsbergen Archipelago from 70 to 100 m heights were formed during the Late Neopleistocene. Based on the ages obtained the palaeogeographic reconstructions of the Spitsbergen Archipelago coastlines have been refi ned and expanded. Refs 16. Fig 1. Tables 2.