[AndrewC]

I'd just like to point out it is mathematically impossible to extract a time origin from an exponentially decaying process

Just exactly how does radioactive dating work?

[Right Wing Professor]

Just exactly how does radioactive dating work?

You have to start with some known level of the radioisotope. For example, in a zircon, you know that uranium can substitute chemically for the zirconium, but lead can't, so you start with 100% uranium, 0% lead - and that allows you to date the origin. With 14C, you have a calibrated level of the isotope produced in the atmosphere.

So what's the original rate of earthquakes or volcanoes?