No, carbon dating was not used to date ash from Mt St Helens.
Radiocarbon dating (carbon-14 dating) only works on things that were once alive.
Here’s why:
The method relies on the isotope carbon-14 (¹⁴C), which is produced in the atmosphere and absorbed by living organisms (plants, animals, humans, etc.) through the food chain.
While an organism is alive, it maintains a constant ratio of ¹⁴C to regular carbon-12 (¹²C), roughly matching the ratio in the atmosphere.
When the organism dies, it stops taking in new carbon, and the ¹⁴C begins to decay at a known rate (half-life of about 5,730 years).
By measuring how much ¹⁴C is left compared to ¹²C, scientists can calculate how long ago the organism died.
A volcano, however animated it may appear to be, doesn’t breathe and was not alive, so carbon dating would never be used on it.
A much better explanation than I would have given!
Thanks!
One problem with carbon 14 ratios is no one knew what the atmospheric ratio of c14/c12 in the atmosphere was during the time of the organisms living years. Nevertheless if certain assumptions are made it can be a good ballpark estimate up to maybe 8 half lives..most likely less. Almost always better to know the age by historical record.
IMHO
I was hoping someone knew that. I am amazed by some on here. I expect the uneducated on Facebook, but I have higher expectations for creepers.