Use this geological calculation for a transparent first-pass interpretation of measured rock, soil, fluid, well, stratigraphic, isotopic, geophysical, or seismic data under an explicitly selected model.

Initial TU

Initial tritium activity in tritium units (TU).

Measured TU

Measured tritium activity in tritium units (TU).

Half-life

Tritium half-life in years.

Date groundwater from the decay of initial to measured tritium activity using a 12.32-year half-life. The tool evaluates the supplied inputs together and returns the named outputs below; it does not infer omitted operating conditions or change the units shown.^[1]

Age (yr)

Apparent tritium age in years.

• Radiometric ages require the correct decay constants, isotopic ratios, standards, common-component correction, closure interpretation, initial composition, and analytical uncertainties. Disturbance, inheritance, diffusion, alteration, and model choice can make a calculated number differ from the geological event age.
• Use finite inputs in the displayed units and preserve more precision than the final presentation requires. Independently verify safety-critical, financial, compliance, or production decisions.

Compare independent measurements and models, retain units and analytical metadata, propagate uncertainty, and validate interpretations against logs, cores, maps, laboratory data, or field observations.

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