Knowing the ages of geological materials is pivotal to understanding the timing, rates, and regional extent of past environmental changes. The Amino Acid Geochronology Laboratory (AAGL) at Northern Arizona University is dedicated to estimating the ages of Quaternary deposits by analyzing the extent of racemization in amino acids preserved within carbonate fossils. Amino acid geochronology is used to solve a variety of Quaternary stratigraphic, paleoclimatic, taphonomic, neotectonic, and other problems that require information on the timing, frequency, and rates of Earth surface processes. In addition, the AAGL investigates the processes, rates, and temperature sensitivity of amino acid diagenesis in fossils to refine the method for geochronology and paleothermometry.
For more information on amino acid geochronology, and on my projects and publications related to amino acid geochronology, please visit the AAGL web site.
