Geologists do not use carbon-based radiometric dating to determine the age of rocks. Carbon dating only works for objects that are younger than about 50,000 years, and most rocks of interest are older than that. Over time, carbon-14 decays radioactively and turns into nitrogen.

What is the limit to carbon dating?

Radiocarbon dating is the most widely used method for dating Holocene and latest Pleistocene earthquakes. The half-life of radioactive 14C (5730 years) limits the application of radiocarbon dating to organic matter formed from carbon fixed within the last 50 000–60 000 years (Trumbore, 2000).

Which object would a geologist date using carbon 14 dating?

Carbon dating is used by archeologists to date trees, plants, and animal remains; as well as human artifacts made from wood and leather; because these items are generally younger than 50,000 years.

What was the first organism on Earth?

Bacteria Bacteria have been the very first organisms to live on Earth. They made their appearance 3 billion years ago in the waters of the first oceans. At first, there were only anaerobic heterotrophic bacteria (the primordial atmosphere was virtually oxygen-free).