Potassium-Argon Geochronology of Deep-Sea Sediments

Abstract

A potassitlim-argon dating method applicable to small quantities of volcanic minerals anid glass has been developed and used to determine the ages of North Pacific sediments. Tertiary sedimentation rates range from less than 1.0 millimeter per 10³ years for deep-sea "red clay" to 1 centimeter per 10: years for calcareotus-siliceous ooze necrer the continent. The potassium-argon ages obtained from different minerals are concordaat, and in samples withl associated fossils, these ages are compatible with the paleontologic evidence.