C dating is applicable to many more different sample types than U-Th dating. C dating simply requires a sample to be carbon-bearing whereas U-Th dating requires the sample to contain uranium and non-detrital thorium.

Is uranium thorium dating accurate?

U-Th dating yields the most accurate results if applied to precipitated calcium carbonate, that is in stalagmites, travertines, and lacustrine limestones. Mass spectrometry can achieve a precision of ±1%. Conventional alpha countings precision is ±5%. Mass spectrometry also uses smaller samples.

What is the time range of the uranium thorium dating method?

between 1000 and 300,000 years The method assumes that the sample does not exchange 230Th or 234U with the environment (i.e., that it is a closed system.) The method is used for samples that can retain Uranium and Thorium, such as carbonate sediments, bones and teeth. Ages between 1000 and 300,000 years have been reported.

Where does uranium come from?

The mining of uranium Uranium mines operate in many countries, but more than 85% of uranium is produced in six countries: Kazakhstan, Canada, Australia, Namibia, Niger, and Russia. Historically, conventional mines (e.g. open pit or underground) were the main source of uranium.