To establish the age of a rock or a fossil, researchers use some type of clock to determine the date it was formed. Geologists commonly use radiometric dating methods, based on the natural radioactive decay of certain elements such as potassium and carbon, as reliable clocks to date ancient events.

What technique is used to date the Earth?

This method is called radiometric dating, and it involves the decay, or breakdown, of radioactive elements. Using radiometric dating techniques, it became possible to determine the actual age of a sample. Radiometric dating requires an understanding of isotopes.

Which dating method is accurate for dates from the origin of the Earth up to about 100000 years ago and is used to date layers of volcanic rock?

Radiometric datingDating methodMaterial datedAge range datedLuminescenceTephra, loess, lake sedimentsUp to 100,000 years agoFission trackTephra10,000 to 400 million years agoPotassium-40 to argon-40Volcanic rocks20,000 to 4.5 billion years agoUranium-238 to lead-206Volcanic rocks1 million to 4.5 billion years ago1 more row•May 20, 2011