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.
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.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| Highlight paper
| 
24 Oct 2025
Research article | Highlight paper |
| 24 Oct 2025
| 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
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, AK 99709, United States of America
James L. Crowley
Department of Geosciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, United States of America
Marwan A. Wartes
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, AK 99709, United States of America
David L. LePain
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, AK 99709, United States of America
Mark D. Schmitz
Department of Geosciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, United States of America
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Dawid Szymanowski, Jörn-Frederik Wotzlaw, Maria Ovtcharova, Blair Schoene, Urs Schaltegger, Mark D. Schmitz, Ryan B. Ickert, Cyril Chelle-Michou, Kevin R. Chamberlain, James L. Crowley, Joshua H. F. L. Davies, Michael P. Eddy, Sean P. Gaynor, Alexandra Käßner, Michael T. Mohr, André N. Paul, Jahandar Ramezani, Simon Tapster, Marion Tichomirowa, Albrecht von Quadt, and Corey J. Wall
Geochronology, 7, 409–425, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-7-409-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-7-409-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We present the first community-wide evaluation of the reproducibility of U–Pb zircon geochronology by isotope dilution thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (ID-TIMS). Eleven labs analysed aliquots of the same, homogenised, pre-spiked solution of natural zircon, which removed geological bias inherent to using heterogeneous natural zircon grain populations. We discuss remaining sources of inter-lab bias and propose areas of improvement to analytical procedures.
Robin B. Trayler, Stephen R. Meyers, Bradley B. Sageman, and Mark D. Schmitz
Geochronology, 6, 107–123, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-107-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-6-107-2024, 2024
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Developing models that relate stratigraphic position to time are important because they allow the rock record to be understood in terms of absolute time, allowing global comparisons. We developed a novel method for developing these models (called age–depth models) that uses two different types of chronologic information, dated rocks, and records of variations in the Earth's orbit (astrochronology). The resulting models are very precise, which can improve understanding of past climates.
Charles W. Magee Jr., Simon Bodorkos, Christopher J. Lewis, James L. Crowley, Corey J. Wall, and Richard M. Friedman
Geochronology, 5, 1–19, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-5-1-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-5-1-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
SHRIMP (Sensitive High Resolution Ion MicroProbe) is an instrument that for decades has used the radioactive decay of uranium into lead to measure geologic time. The accuracy and precision of this instrument has not been seriously reviewed in almost 20 years. This paper compares several dozen SHRIMP ages in our database with more accurate and precise methods to assess SHRIMP accuracy and precision. Analytical and geological complications are addressed to try to improve the method.
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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.
This paper is a careful and detailed study of U-Pb systematics of zircon using LA-ICPMS and...
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.
Paired moderate- and high-precision U–Pb geochronology is used to explore sources of young bias...
