Description
signedDistance = age-boundary; olderThanBoundary uses strict greater-than.
Geological records use depth datums, age-before-present coordinates and recovery definitions. A signed difference or recovered-length ratio can expose a supplied inconsistency without reconstructing geological history or correcting sample loss.
signedDistance = age-boundary; olderThanBoundary uses strict greater-than.
When to use this tool
Use Geological Age Boundary Distance when checking an explicit geological coordinate, interval or recovery convention.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter ageBeforePresent, boundaryBeforePresent. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read signedDistance, olderThanBoundary. Inspect olderThanBoundary before interpreting the associated values.
Require nonnegative ageBeforePresent and boundaryBeforePresent. signedDistance = age-boundary; olderThanBoundary uses strict greater-than.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| ageBeforePresent | Age Before Present | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| boundaryBeforePresent | Boundary Before Present | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| signedDistance | Signed Distance | Required. Finite number. |
| olderThanBoundary | Older Than Boundary | Required. Boolean. |
{
"input": {
"ageBeforePresent": 120,
"boundaryBeforePresent": 100
},
"output": {
"signedDistance": 20,
"olderThanBoundary": true
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- Use one age unit and before-present reference. Equality is not older; the tool does not select an official geological boundary or propagate dating uncertainty.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use verified datums, original logs and appropriate geological interpretation when correlating units or reconstructing missing intervals.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Unconformity Duration Explicit Bounds
minimumGap = underlyingYoung-overlyingOld; maximumGap = underlyingOld-overlyingYoung; midpointGap is the difference of interval midpoints.
- Geologic Time Boundary Version Key Tool
Record an explicit geologic time-boundary identifier and time-scale source version without supplying ages.