Articles | Volume 5, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-5-323-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-5-323-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Technical note: In situ U–Th–He dating by 4He ∕ 3He laser microprobe analysis
London Geochronology Centre, Department of Earth Sciences,
University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT,
UK
Yuntao Tian
London Geochronology Centre, Department of Earth Sciences,
University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT,
UK
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of
Geodynamics and Geohazards, School of Earth Sciences and Engineering,
Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
Jae Schwanethal
London Geochronology Centre, Department of Earth Sciences,
University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT,
UK
Yannick Buret
Department of Earth Sciences, Natural History Museum,
Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
Related authors
Pieter Vermeesch
Geochronology, 6, 397–407, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-397-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-397-2024, 2024
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The age of some geological materials can be estimated from the ratio of certain radiogenic "daughter" isotopes to their radioactive "parent". However, in many cases, the age estimation process is complicated by the presence of an inherited component of non-radiogenic daughter isotopes. This paper presents an improved algorithm to estimate the radiogenic and non-radiogenic components, either separately or jointly.
Alex Lipp and Pieter Vermeesch
Geochronology, 5, 263–270, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-5-263-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-5-263-2023, 2023
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We propose using the Wasserstein-2 distance (W2) as an alternative to the widely used Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) statistic for analysing distributional data in geochronology. W2 measures the horizontal distance between observations, while KS measures vertical differences in cumulative distributions. Using case studies, we find that W2 is preferable in scenarios where the absolute age differences in observations provide important geological information. W2 has been added to the R package IsoplotR.
Matthew Fox, Adam G. G. Smith, Pieter Vermeesch, Kerry Gallagher, and Andrew Carter
Geochronology Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2022-23, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2022-23, 2022
Publication in GChron not foreseen
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The Great Unconformity represents an enormous amount of time lost from the sedimentary record. Its origin is debated, in part, due to different approaches used to interpret zircon (U–Th)/He ages. This thermochronometric system is ideal for this problem because the temperature sensitivity varies according to radiation damage. Here we explore the uncertainty associated with the radiation damage model and show how this limits our ability to resolve the origin of the Great Unconformity.
Pieter Vermeesch
Geochronology, 4, 561–576, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-561-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-561-2022, 2022
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Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) is the oldest and most sensitive analytical technique for in situ U–Pb geochronology. This paper introduces a new algorithm for SIMS data reduction that treats data as
compositional data, which means that the relative abundances of 204Pb, 206Pb, 207Pb, and 238Pb are processed within a tetrahedral data space or
simplex. The new method is implemented in an eponymous computer programme that is compatible with the two dominant types of SIMS instruments.
Yang Li and Pieter Vermeesch
Geochronology, 3, 415–420, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-415-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-415-2021, 2021
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A conventional isochron is a straight-line fit to two sets of isotopic ratios, D/d and P/d, where P is the radioactive parent, D is the radiogenic daughter, and d is a second isotope of the daughter element. The slope of this line is proportional to the age of the system. An inverse isochron is a linear fit through d/D and P/D. The horizontal intercept of this line is inversely proportional to the age. The latter approach is preferred when d<D, which is the case in Re–Os and K–Ca geochronology.
Pieter Vermeesch
Geochronology, 3, 247–257, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-247-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-247-2021, 2021
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This paper shows that the current practice of filtering discordant U–Pb data based on the relative difference between the 206Pb/238U and 207Pb/206Pb ages is just one of several possible approaches to the problem and demonstrably not the best one. An alternative approach is to define discordance in terms of isotopic composition, as a log ratio distance between the measurement and the concordia line. Application to real data indicates that this reduces the positive bias of filtered age spectra.
Pieter Vermeesch
Geochronology, 2, 119–131, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2-119-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2-119-2020, 2020
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The U–Pb method is one of the most powerful and versatile methods in the geochronological toolbox. With two isotopes of uranium decaying to two different isotopes of lead, the U–Pb method offers an internal quality control that is absent from most other geochronological techniques. U-bearing minerals often contain significant amounts of Th, which decays to a third Pb isotope. This paper presents an algorithm to jointly process all three chronometers at once.
Marcel Guillong, Elias Samankassou, Inigo A. Müller, Dawid Szymanowski, Nathan Looser, Lorenzo Tavazzani, Óscar Merino-Tomé, Juan R. Bahamonde, Yannick Buret, and Maria Ovtcharova
Geochronology, 6, 465–474, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-465-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-465-2024, 2024
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RA138 is a new reference material for U–Pb dating of carbonate samples via laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. RA138 exhibits variable U–Pb ratios and consistent U content, resulting in a precise isochron with low uncertainty. Isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry analyses fix a reference age of 321.99 ± 0.65 Ma. This research advances our ability to date carbonate samples accurately, providing insights into geological processes and historical timelines.
Pieter Vermeesch
Geochronology, 6, 397–407, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-397-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-397-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The age of some geological materials can be estimated from the ratio of certain radiogenic "daughter" isotopes to their radioactive "parent". However, in many cases, the age estimation process is complicated by the presence of an inherited component of non-radiogenic daughter isotopes. This paper presents an improved algorithm to estimate the radiogenic and non-radiogenic components, either separately or jointly.
Yuntao Tian, Lili Pan, Guihong Zhang, and Xinbo Yao
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 477–492, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-477-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-477-2024, 2024
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Rock exhumation from the Earth's interior to the surface is important information for better understanding many geological problems, ranging from mountain building and its decay to resource and hydrocarbon evaluation and exploration. We propose a new stepwise inverse modeling strategy for optimizing the model parameters to mitigate the model dependencies on the initial parameters that are required to simulate the rock exhumation processes.
Alex Lipp and Pieter Vermeesch
Geochronology, 5, 263–270, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-5-263-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-5-263-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We propose using the Wasserstein-2 distance (W2) as an alternative to the widely used Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) statistic for analysing distributional data in geochronology. W2 measures the horizontal distance between observations, while KS measures vertical differences in cumulative distributions. Using case studies, we find that W2 is preferable in scenarios where the absolute age differences in observations provide important geological information. W2 has been added to the R package IsoplotR.
Matthew Fox, Adam G. G. Smith, Pieter Vermeesch, Kerry Gallagher, and Andrew Carter
Geochronology Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2022-23, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2022-23, 2022
Publication in GChron not foreseen
Short summary
Short summary
The Great Unconformity represents an enormous amount of time lost from the sedimentary record. Its origin is debated, in part, due to different approaches used to interpret zircon (U–Th)/He ages. This thermochronometric system is ideal for this problem because the temperature sensitivity varies according to radiation damage. Here we explore the uncertainty associated with the radiation damage model and show how this limits our ability to resolve the origin of the Great Unconformity.
Pieter Vermeesch
Geochronology, 4, 561–576, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-561-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-561-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) is the oldest and most sensitive analytical technique for in situ U–Pb geochronology. This paper introduces a new algorithm for SIMS data reduction that treats data as
compositional data, which means that the relative abundances of 204Pb, 206Pb, 207Pb, and 238Pb are processed within a tetrahedral data space or
simplex. The new method is implemented in an eponymous computer programme that is compatible with the two dominant types of SIMS instruments.
Yang Li and Pieter Vermeesch
Geochronology, 3, 415–420, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-415-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-415-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
A conventional isochron is a straight-line fit to two sets of isotopic ratios, D/d and P/d, where P is the radioactive parent, D is the radiogenic daughter, and d is a second isotope of the daughter element. The slope of this line is proportional to the age of the system. An inverse isochron is a linear fit through d/D and P/D. The horizontal intercept of this line is inversely proportional to the age. The latter approach is preferred when d<D, which is the case in Re–Os and K–Ca geochronology.
Pieter Vermeesch
Geochronology, 3, 247–257, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-247-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-247-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This paper shows that the current practice of filtering discordant U–Pb data based on the relative difference between the 206Pb/238U and 207Pb/206Pb ages is just one of several possible approaches to the problem and demonstrably not the best one. An alternative approach is to define discordance in terms of isotopic composition, as a log ratio distance between the measurement and the concordia line. Application to real data indicates that this reduces the positive bias of filtered age spectra.
Pieter Vermeesch
Geochronology, 2, 119–131, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2-119-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2-119-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
The U–Pb method is one of the most powerful and versatile methods in the geochronological toolbox. With two isotopes of uranium decaying to two different isotopes of lead, the U–Pb method offers an internal quality control that is absent from most other geochronological techniques. U-bearing minerals often contain significant amounts of Th, which decays to a third Pb isotope. This paper presents an algorithm to jointly process all three chronometers at once.
Related subject area
Helium diffusion systems
The Geometric Correction Method for zircon (U–Th) ∕ He chronology: correcting systematic error and assigning uncertainties to alpha-ejection corrections and eU concentrations
U and Th zonation in apatite observed by synchrotron X–ray fluorescence tomography and implications for the (U–Th)/He system
A practical method for assigning uncertainty and improving the accuracy of alpha-ejection corrections and eU concentrations in apatite (U–Th) ∕ He chronology
Cosmogenic 3He paleothermometry on post-LGM glacial bedrock within the central European Alps
A revised alpha-ejection correction calculation for (U–Th) ∕ He thermochronology dates of broken apatite crystals
Short communication: Mechanism and prevention of irreversible trapping of atmospheric He during mineral crushing
Short communication: Modeling competing effects of cooling rate, grain size, and radiation damage in low-temperature thermochronometers
Resolving the effects of 2-D versus 3-D grain measurements on apatite (U–Th) ∕ He age data and reproducibility
Spencer D. Zeigler, Morgan Baker, James R. Metcalf, and Rebecca M. Flowers
Geochronology, 6, 199–226, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-199-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-199-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
(U–Th)/He chronology relies on accurate measurements of zircon grain dimensions, but the systematic error and uncertainty associated with those measurements have been unquantified until now. We build on the work of Zeigler et al. (2023) and present the zircon Geometric Correction Method, a simple solution to correcting the error and quantifying the geometric uncertainty in eU and dates. Including this geometric correction and uncertainty matters for data evaluation and interpretation.
Francis J. Sousa, Stephen E. Cox, E. Troy Rasbury, Sidney R. Hemming, Antonio Lanzirotti, and Matthew Newville
Geochronology Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2024-8, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2024-8, 2024
Revised manuscript accepted for GChron
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Short summary
We have discovered a new way of measuring the three-dimensional distribution of radioactive elements in individual crystals by shining a very bright light on apatite crystals at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory. This allows us to learn about the rates and timing of geologic processes, and to help resolve problems that previously were unsolvable because we had no way to make this type of measurement.
Spencer D. Zeigler, James R. Metcalf, and Rebecca M. Flowers
Geochronology, 5, 197–228, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-5-197-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-5-197-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
(U–Th) / He dating relies on proper characterization of apatite crystal dimensions so that eU concentrations and dates can be calculated accurately and precisely, but there is systematic error and uncertainty in geometric measurements. By comparing 2D microscopy to
true3D measurements, we present a simple solution to correcting the error and quantifying the geometric uncertainty in eU and dates. Including this geometric correction and uncertainty matters for data evaluation and interpretation.
Natacha Gribenski, Marissa M. Tremblay, Pierre G. Valla, Greg Balco, Benny Guralnik, and David L. Shuster
Geochronology, 4, 641–663, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-641-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-641-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We apply quartz 3He paleothermometry along two deglaciation profiles in the European Alps to reconstruct temperature evolution since the Last Glacial Maximum. We observe a 3He thermal signal clearly colder than today in all bedrock surface samples exposed prior the Holocene. Current uncertainties in 3He diffusion kinetics do not permit distinguishing if this signal results from Late Pleistocene ambient temperature changes or from recent ground temperature variation due to permafrost degradation.
John J. Y. He and Peter W. Reiners
Geochronology, 4, 629–640, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-629-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-629-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Apatite helium thermochronology is a method that dates the time at which a rock (and the apatite crystals contained within) cooled below a certain temperature by measuring radioactive parent isotopes (uranium and thorium) and daughter isotopes (helium). This paper proposes a revision to a commonly used calculation that corrects raw data to account for instances when the analyzed apatite crystals are fragmented. It demonstrates the improved accuracy and precision of the proposed revision.
Stephen E. Cox, Hayden B. D. Miller, Florian Hofmann, and Kenneth A. Farley
Geochronology, 4, 551–560, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-551-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-551-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Noble gases are largely excluded from minerals during rock formation, but they are produced by certain radioactive decay schemes and trapped in mineral lattices. However, they are present in the atmosphere, which means that they can be adsorbed or trapped by physical processes. We present details of a troublesome trapping mechanism for helium during sample crushing and show when it can be ignored and how it can be easily avoided during common laboratory procedures.
David M. Whipp, Dawn A. Kellett, Isabelle Coutand, and Richard A. Ketcham
Geochronology, 4, 143–152, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-143-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-4-143-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Multi-thermochronometry, in which methods such as (U-Th)/He dating of zircon and apatite and apatite fission track dating are combined, is used to reconstruct rock thermal histories. Our ability to reconstruct thermal histories and interpret the geological significance of measured ages requires modeling. Here we use forward models to explore effects of grain size and chemistry on cooling ages and closure temperatures for the (U-Th)/He decay systems in apatite and zircon.
Emily H. G. Cooperdock, Richard A. Ketcham, and Daniel F. Stockli
Geochronology, 1, 17–41, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-1-17-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-1-17-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
(U–Th) / He chronometry relies on accurate grain-specific size and shape measurements. Using > 100 apatite grains to compare
assumed2-D versus
true3-D grain shapes measured by a microscope and X-ray computed tomography, respectively, we find that volume and surface area both differ by ~ 25 % between the two techniques and directly affect mass and concentration measurements. But we found a very small effect on the FT correction (2 %) and no discernible impact on mean sample age or dispersion.
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Short summary
The U–Th–He method is a technique to determine the cooling history of minerals. Traditional approaches to U–Th–He dating are time-consuming and require handling strong acids and radioactive solutions. This paper presents an alternative approach in which samples are irradiated with protons and subsequently analysed by laser ablation mass spectrometry. Unlike previous in situ U–Th–He dating attempts, the new method does not require any absolute concentration measurements of U, Th, or He.
The U–Th–He method is a technique to determine the cooling history of minerals. Traditional...