LIAG / Institute / Departments / Geochronology 

Geochronology

Department S3 looks at geochronological problems and assists the "Terrestrial sediment systems" main research activity.

Department responsibilities

The "Geochronology" department undertakes geochronological investigations using the luminescence dating methods (IRSL, OSL, pulsed OSL, TL, single grain), optically stimulated exo-electrons (OSE), radiofluorescence (RF), electron spin resonance (ESR), thermion mass spectrometry (TIMS, 230Th/234U), and the 210Pb-method. The availability of this spectrum of methods, which is unique in Germany, enables the department to be involved in a wide range of applied geophysical research topics for sedimentary bodies aged between a few years to several hundred thousand years using luminescence techniques and theoretically, even up to several million years using ESR. Precise age determinations are essential to quantitatively and sequentially understand climate variations as well as landscape-changing surface processes during the youngest parts of the earth's history, at a regional and local level. They are also required to accurately evaluate the expected increase in extreme weather events by future (climate) trends. 

The luminescence and ESR methods are to be combined with one another in future to determine the ages of sediments. With our chronological approach, the combined application of luminescence and ESR will create a new, innovative and reliable chronological basis for the correlation of Pleistocene terrestrial sediments in close co-operation with geophysical and geomagnetic surveys, as well as geophysical applied structural exploration methods. The development and application of these chronological methods in combination with seismic surveys, georadar, etc., allow the spatial and temporal visualisation of shallow sedimentary horizons. The four-dimensional modelling and reconstruction of shallow processes within the framework of climate and environmental research, landscape dynamics, as well as the evaluation of georisks, (sinkholes, earthquakes) are only made possible in this way.   

to the Research Fields of the department

Current projects (selected)

  • LUNAR, Der letzte Impuls - Datierung der jüngsten Verformungen in den Alpen mit ESR-Thermochronometrie  Details
    (DFG)
  • Periadriatic - Identifizierung fossiler Verwerfungsaktivitäten entlang des östlichen periadriatischen Verwerfungssystems  Details
    (DFG SPP2017 "Mountain building processes in 4D".)
  • Northern Iranian Loess and its palaeoclimatic implication Details
    (DFG: FR877/26-2)
  • Holozäne Klimaentwicklung in den Waldsteppen der Mongolei Details
    (DFG: FR877/32-1)

Current Publications

  • Rate of soil Formation in Arenosols of dunes on Spikeroog Island (Germany). - Geoderma Regional 20, e00246. Doi: doi.org./10.1016/j.geodrs.2019.e00246.
    2020, POLLMANN, T., TSUKAMOTO, S., FRECHEN, M. & GIANI, L.
  • ESR dating of Chinese loess using the quartz Ti centre: A comparison with independent age control. - Quaternary International 556, 159-164.
    2020, RICHTER, M., TSUKAMOTO, S., LONG, H.
  • ESR-thermochronometry of the Hida range of the Japanese Alps: Validation and future potential. - Geochronology Discussions, 2: 1-15.
    2020, KING, G.E., TSUKAMOTO, S., HERMAN, F., BISWAS, R.H., SUEOKA, S., TAGAMI, T.
  • Timing and development of sand dunes in the Golestan Province, northern Iran—Implications for the Late-Pleistocene history of the Caspian Sea. - Journal of Aeolian Research, 41.
    2019, RAHIMZADEH, N., KHORMALI, F., GRIBENSKI, N., TSUKAMOTO, S., KEHL, M., PINT, A., KIANI, F. & FRECHEN, M.

Head of department

Staff

Technical infrastructure