tephrochronology

[tef-roh-kruh-nol-uh-jee]

noun

Geology.

1. a geochronologic technique based on the dating of layers of volcanic ash.

Other Word Forms

• tephrochronological adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tephrochronology¹

1940–45; < Swedish tefrokronologi, equivalent to tefr ( a ) volcanic ejecta (< Greek téphra ash) + -o- -o- + kronologi chronology

Example Sentences

Now Hirniak's primary expertise is in tephrochronology, which involves the use of volcanic ash to link archaeological and paleoenvironmental records and place them on the same timeline, which was her contribution to this research.

Read more on Science Daily

Tephrochronology of the Toba Tuffs: four primary glass populations define the 75-ka Youngest Toba Tuff, northern Sumatra, Indonesia.

Read more on Nature

In tephrochronology, layers of volcanic ash, tephra, often contain potassium-bearing minerals whose crystallization age can be determined, even going back billions of years.

Read more on New York Times

This way of working even has its own name - tephrochronology.

Read more on BBC