Luminescence dating facility

Luminescence dating can provide results on samples dating back thousands of years.

Luminescence dating is a technique used to date Quaternary sediments and for determining when ancient materials such as pottery, ceramics, bricks or tiles were last heated. The technique can be applied to material from about 100 to several hundred thousand years old.

The Luminescence Dating Facility at Victoria University of Wellington is the only one of its kind in New Zealand and is led by Ningsheng Wang. It is primarily a research facility for the School and for collaborators in New Zealand.

Facilities

The laboratory is set up in dark rooms with extremely subdued orange illumination.

One room serves as preparation laboratory, where all incoming samples are unpacked and chemically treated to purify the sample and extract the desired minerals in the right grain size.

The other room houses most of the modern electronic equipment, including:

• 2 Riso TL-DA-15 measurement instruments, which each contain a 48-position automated sample changer, a beta-radiation source and stimulation devices for Thermoluminescence and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (infrared, green and blue light)
• 1 Daybreak E801 beta-irradiator with automated 30-position sample changer
• 1 ELSEC alpha-irradiator with 6 irradiation positions
• 1  Broad energy Canberra HPGe-gammaspectrometer with ultralow-background shielding (6-in low activity Pb, graded Sn and Cu, j-style configuration), 50% nominal efficiency
• 1 portable Silena NaJ-g-spectrometer (1k-multichannel instrument)

Contact information

Please contact Ningsheng Wang (MSc.) for more information.

Luminescence dating service

Our luminescence dating service is available for researchers in New Zealand and overseas.

Optically stimulated luminescence

We use optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) to date aeolian, fluvial, lacustrine and shallow water marine sediments, as well as most quartz or feldspar-bearing objects, which have seen sunlight or intense heat during deposition.

These sediments can be used to study ancient earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding and volcanic eruptions, as well as climate change, glaciation and tectonic uplift.

Gammaspectrometry

We are also involved in research projects requiring gammaspectrometry. Applications involve measurement of artificial radionuclides in sediments (such as ¹³⁷Cs from atomic bomb tests or ²⁴¹Am from the Chernobyl accident) or measurement of sedimentation rates using naturally occurring ²¹⁰Pb.

Our equipment has a very high efficiency and ultra-low background so can be used to measure tiny amounts of radionuclides. We therefore welcome projects where low-level radioactivity is expected such as sediments from New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

Please enquire about our capacity and pricing.

Pricing and turnaround time

Standard rate

Standard rate for routine work with priority processing: NZ$1400 + GST per sample.

This price includes all irradiation and luminescence measurements required to obtain the equivalent dose, and high resolution laboratory gamma-spectrometry for dose rate determination. Please ask us for a quote for your sample analysis.

We will also advise you about sampling and help with the interpretation of results.

Turnaround time is dependent on the workload of the lab, so please enquire about the status when submitting samples. Unfortunately routine sample analysis can take up to five months, but can be longer for unusual materials or if any unexpected problems arise during processing.

Reduced rate

This rate applies to Victoria University of Wellington students, collaborators and unfunded researchers. Our reduced rate covers only our direct costs including consumables.

Samples at this rate are low priority and will be analysed as time slots become available. They will potentially have a long turnaround time, so please contact us for a time estimate when submitting samples.

Sample collection

We strongly encourage you to make contact with us prior to sample collection to:

• discuss the details of different sedimentary environments before sampling
• to evaluate alternative sampling options like augering or block cutting
• enquire about borrowing suitable sampling equipment from us.

Only sediments that have been exposed to light or intense heat during deposition are datable by OSL, so please consider carefully if this applies to your material.

We recommend using steel cylinders to collect sediment samples as they are easy to use and transport and protect samples from ambient light. The steel cylinders used by our laboratory have a diameter of 60mm and are 100 mm in length, with a sharp edge on one side. They are mounted on a base unit that takes the blows when the cylinder is hammered into the sediment, while also preventing mixing of loose sediment within the cylinder. We are happy to lend the cylinders and the base unit for use within New Zealand.

Sampling step-by-step

1. Identify a suitable sediment outcrop – ideally a sandy/silty consistency

2. Cut back the surface of the outcrop by about 20 cm to expose fresh material

3. Hammer in a cylinder so it is fully filled and carefully dig it out. Cover both ends of the cylinder with aluminium foil and/or thick black plastic, and tape it so it is light  proof and watertight.

4. Attach a readable, meaningful label.

5. Avoid sampling in inhomogenous surroundings (stay more than 25 cm away from inhomogenities like gravel beds or bedrock)

6. Provide sufficient sample material:

• For fine material (eg: loess or other predominantly silty material), one full standard cylinder (60x100) is adequate
• For coarser material (eg: sand) two full standard cylinders are needed

7. Ensure the sample material cannot move or mix inside the cylinder, by stuffing aluminium foil into both ends of the cylinder.

Conditions

Do not submit a sample without prior consultation.

We reserve the right to reject samples if we consider them unsuitable for luminescence dating.

Whenever possible we prefer to sample your materials ourselves to avoid contamination. If this is not possible, please ask us for advice to ensure correct sampling. We do not accept responsibility if samples were taken incorrectly.

Our pricing only covers our costs and is not for profit. While we are involved in work with some commercial clients, we prefer to work as part of collaborative research projects.

Please contact us if you think we could contribute to your research project.

Selected laboratory publications

Taylor-Silva, B.I, Stirling , M.W., Litchfield,  N.J., Griffin, J. D., van den Berg, E. J. & Wang, N. (2019): Paleoseismology of the Akatore Fault, Otago, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, DOI.10.1080/00288306.2019.1645706

Little, T. A., Van Dissen, R., Kearse, J., Norton, K, Benson, A.& Wang, N.(2018): Kekerengu Fault, New Zealand: Timing and Size of Late Holocene Surface Ruptures. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, Vol. 108, No. 3B, 1556–1572, DOI: 10.1785/0120170152

Thackray, G. D.,  Shulmeister, J., Hyatt, O.M., Wang, N. & Rieser, U. (2017): MIS 3 glaciation in the middle Rakaia valley, New Zealand, documented through stratigraphy and luminescence geochronology, New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, DOI: 10.1080/00288306.2017.1342664

Lipar, M., Webb, J.A., Cupper, M.L., Wang, N., (2017).  Aeolianite, calcrete/microbialite and karst in southwestern Australia as indicators of Middle to Late Quaternary palaeoclimates.  Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 470, 11-29.

Hornblow, S., Quigley, M., Nicol, A., Van Dissen, R., & Wang, N. (2014). Paleoseismology of the 2010 Mw 7.1 Darfield (Canterbury) earthquake source, Greendale Fault, New Zealand. Tectonophsics, 637, 178-190.

Schiller, M., Dickinson, W., Zondervan, A., Ditchburn, R., & Wang, N. (2014). Rapidly soil accumulation in a frozen landscape. Geology, 42(4), 335-338.

Ninis, D, Little, T. A., Van Dissen, R, Smith, E G. C., Litchfield, N., Smith, E.G.C., Wang, N., & Rieser, U. (2013). Slip Rate on the Wellington Fault, New Zealand, during the Late Quaternary: Evidence for Variable Slip during the Holocene. Bulletin of the Seismological Association of America, 103(1), 559-579

Hyatt, O.M., Shulmeister, J., Evans, D.J.A., Thackray, G.D., & Rieser, U. (2012). Sedimentology of a debris-rich, perhumid valley glacier margin in the Rakaia Valley, South Island, New Zealand. Journal of Quaternary Science, 27(7), 699-712.

Amos, C., Lapwood, J., Nobes, D., Burbank, D., Rieser, U., & Wade, A. (2011). Palaeoseismic constraints on Holocene surface ruptures along the Ostler Fault, southern New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 54(4), 367–378.

Carne, R.C., Little, T.A., & Rieser, U. (2011). Using displaced river terraces to determine Late Quaternary slip rate for the central Wairarapa Fault at Waiohine River, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 54(2), 217-236.

Collen, J.D., Baker, J.A., Dunbar, R.B., Rieser, U., Gardner, J.P., Garton, D.W. & Christiansen, K.J. (2011). The atmospheric lead record preserved in lagoon sediments at a remote equatorial Pacific location: Palmyra Atoll, northern Line Islands. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 62(2), 251-257.

Grapes, R., Rieser, U., & Wang, N. (2010). Dating the Kawakawa/Oruanui eruption: comment on optical luminescence dating of a loess section containing a critical tephra marker horizon, SW North Island of New Zealand by R. Grapes et al. By D Lowe, CJN Wilson, RM Newnham and AG Hogg. Reply. Quaternary Geochronology, 5(4), 497-501.

Grapes, R., Rieser, U. & Wang, N. (2010). Optical luminescence dating of a loess section containing a critical tephra marker horizon, SW North Island of New Zealand. Quaternary Geochronology 5(2-3), 164-169.

Little, T.A., Van Dissen, R., Rieser, U., Smith, E.G.C. & Langridge, R.M. (2010). Coseismic strike slip at a point during the last four earthquakes on the Wellington fault near Wellington, New Zealand. Journal of Geophysical Research, 115, B05403.

Rieser, U. & Wuest, R.A.J. (2010). OSL chronology of Lynch’s Crater, the longest terrestrial record in NE-Australia. Quaternary Geochronology, 5(2-3), 233-236.

Rother, H., Shulmeister, J., & Rieser, U. (2010). Stratigraphy, geochronology and depositional model of pre-LGM glacial deposits in the Hope Valley, Southern Alps, New Zealand. Quaternary Science Reviews, 29(3-4), 576–592.

Shulmeister, J., Thackray, G.D., Rieser, U., Hyatt, O.M., Rother, H., Smart, C.C. & Evans, D.J.A. (2010). The stratigraphy, timing and climatic implications of pre-LGM glaciolacustrine deposits in the middle Rakaia Valley, South Island, New Zealand. Quaternary Science Reviews, 29(17-18), 2362-2381.

Dotzler, C., Williams, G., Rieser, U., & Robinson, J. (2009). Photoluminescence, optically stimulated luminescence, and thermoluminescence study of RbMgF₃:Eu²⁺. Journal of Applied Physics, 105(2), 023107.

Schermer, E. R., Little, T. A., & Rieser, U. (2009). Quaternary deformation along the Wharekauhau fault system, North Island, New Zealand: Implications for an unstable linkage between active strike-slip and thrust faults. Tectonics, 28, TC6008.

Tan, K., Liu, Z., Zeng, S., Liu, Y., Xie, Y. & Rieser, U. (2009). Three-dimensional thermoluminescence spectra of different origin quartz from Altay Orogenic belt, Xinjiang, China. Radiation Measurements, 44(5-6), 529-533.

Bonnet, S., Rieser, U., Moulin, L., Lague, D., Davy, P. & Lacoste, A. (2008). Erosional dynamics of the Rangitikei River (North Island, New Zealand) since the Last Glacial Maximum. In Geophysical Research Abstracts 10 (EGU2008-A-08717). Gottingen, Germany: Cpernicus GmbH.

McCarthy, A., Mackintosh, A., Rieser, U. & Fink, D. (2008). Mountain Glacier Chronology from Boulder Lake, New Zealand, Indicates MIS 4 and MIS 2 Ice Advances of Similar Extent. Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research, 40(4), 695-708.

Wang, N., & Grapes, R. (2008). Infrared-stimulated luminescence dating of late Quaternary aggradation surfaces and their deformation along an active fault, southern North Island of New
Zealand. Geomorphology, 96(1-2), 86-104.

Alloway, B.V., Lowe, D.J., Barrell, D.J.A., Newnham, R.M., Almond, P.C., Augustinus, P.C., Bertler, N.A.N., ... Rieser, U., & NZ-INTIMATE Members (2007). Towards a climate event stratigraphy for New Zealand over the past 30,000 years (NZ_INTIMATE prooject). Journal of Quaternary Science, 22(1), 9-35.

Almond, P.C., Shanhun, F.L., Rieser, U., & Shulmeister, J. (2007). An OSL, radiocarbon and tephra isochron-based chronology for birdlings flat loess at Ahuriri Quarry, Banks Peninsula, Canterbury, New Zealand. Quaternary Geochronology, 2(1-4), 4-8.

Craw, D., Anderson, L., Rieser, U. & Waters, J. (2007). rainage reorientation in Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand, during the Last Interglacial. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 50(1), 13-20.

Dickinson, W.W., Rieser, U., Mackintosh, A., & McGowan, H. (2007). OSL Age Constraints on Sediments in lower Victoria Valley, Antarctica. Quaternary International, 167, 99.

Rieser, U., Prior, C., & Carter, J. (2007). Phytoliths: A new chronometer for the late Quaternary. Quaternary International, 167, 343-344.

Rother, H., Shulmeister, J.P., & Rieser, U. (2007). Stratigraphy and geochronology of Late Pleistocene valley fill deposits in the Hope Valley, Southern Alps, New Zealand. Quaternary International, 167, 353.

Shulmeister, J.P., Rieser, U., Fink, D., Thackray, D.G., Hyatt, O.M., & Rother, H. (2007). Luminescence and surface exposure dating chronology from 5e to YD in the RakaiaValley, Canterbury, New Zealand and insights for the timing and forcing of NZ glaciation. Quaternary International, 167, 383.

Wust, R., Kershaw, P., Rieser, U., Jacobsen, G., & Deino, A. (2007). Stratigraphy and sedimentology of the longest terrestrial record in NE-Australia: Lynch’s Crater. Quaternary International, 167, 456.

Dotzler, C., Williams, G.V.M., Rieser, U., & Edgar, A. (2007). Optically stimulated luminescence in NaMgF₃:Eu²⁺ . Applied Physics Letters 91, 121910.

Harkins, N., Kirby, E., Heimsath, A., Robinson, R., & Rieser, U. (2007). Transient fluvial incision in the headwaters of the Yellow River, northeastern Tibet, China. Journal of Geophysical Research - Earth Surface, 112, F03S04.

Kennedy, D.M., Tannock, K.L., Crozier, M.J., & Rieser, U. (2007). Boulders of MIS 5 age deposited by a tsunami on the coast of Otago, New Zealand. Sedimentary Geology, 200(3-4), 222-231.