Geochronology
Geochronology
GChron
Articles | Volume 7, issue 4
Articles | Volume 7, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-7-513-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-7-513-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Articles | Volume 7, issue 4
Research article
 | Highlight paper
 | 
24 Oct 2025
Research article | Highlight paper |  | 24 Oct 2025

Accuracy and validity of maximum depositional ages in light of tandem (laser ablation and isotope dilution) U–Pb detrital zircon geochronology, including results from northern Alaska

Trystan M. Herriott, James L. Crowley, Marwan A. Wartes, David L. LePain, and Mark D. Schmitz

Data sets

Zircon geochronology of Torok and Nanushuk Formations sandstones at Slope Mountain and a Seabee Formation tephra deposit at Ninuluk Bluff, central North Slope, Alaska T. M. Herriott et al. https://doi.org/10.14509/31152

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Editor
This paper is a careful and detailed study of U-Pb systematics of zircon using LA-ICPMS and conventional methods. It illustrated with great clarity how the data has to be evaluated to be useful for high precision and high resolution geochronology.
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Short summary
Paired moderate- and high-precision U–Pb geochronology is used to explore sources of young bias in laser-ablation-based detrital zircon maximum depositional ages (MDAs). We redefine the reference value for MDA accuracy as the age of the youngest analyzed population and reframe MDA algorithm assessments around validity. This study highlights opportunities to refine MDA research and anticipates continued community efforts to further improve accuracy of laser ablation zircon geochronology.
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