The full programme book (PDF) - Royal Geographical Society
The full programme book (PDF) - Royal Geographical Society
The full programme book (PDF) - Royal Geographical Society
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THEME 2: MEASURING TIME<br />
Measuring Quaternary time: a 50-year perspective<br />
John Lowe 1 and Mike Walker 2<br />
1 Centre for Quaternary Research, Geography Department, <strong>Royal</strong> Holloway, University of London<br />
2 University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Lampeter, Wales & Aberystwyth University, Wales<br />
In the 50 years since the inception of the QRA, there has been considerable development<br />
in the range and sophistication of the chronological tools that are now available to<br />
underpin the research of its members. Notable milestones over this period include the<br />
introduction of new methods (e.g. OSL, CRN, ice-layer counting, molecular ‘clocks’), and<br />
refinement of established techniques (e.g. AMS, 14 C calibration, high-precision U-series,<br />
Ar-Ar, cryptotephra analysis). Indeed, the QRA and its members have played important<br />
roles in pioneering some of the key advances from which we presently benefit. Developing<br />
new techniques and methodologies for measuring Quaternary time is not an end in itself,<br />
however: it is stimulated by a parallel need, which is a deeper understanding of the mode,<br />
pattern and rates of environmental processes, and how different processes inter-connect.<br />
We will reflect on the symbiotic relationship between environmental reconstruction on the<br />
one hand, and geochronological capability on the other, and how a breakthrough in one or<br />
the other serves to illuminate limitations in stratigraphic practice. We conclude by<br />
suggesting that Quaternary science is currently experiencing a new paradigm shift, one<br />
that is likely to gather momentum in the early stages of the next 50 years of the<br />
Association’s history.