The uranium–thorium (U–Th) and uranium–lead (U–Pb) radiometric dating methods are both suitable for dating carbonate samples ranging in age from about 400 000 to 650 000 years. Here we test agreement between the two methods by dating speleothems (i.e. secondary cave mineral deposits) that are well-suited to both methods. We demonstrate excellent agreement between them and discuss their relative strengths and weaknesses.

We performed a statistical analysis of high-precision U–Pb zircon age distributions. This reveals that volcanic and porphyry zircon age distributions are skewed to younger ages, whereas plutonic age distributions are skewed to older ages. We show that this is caused  by truncation of zircon crystallisation by magma evacuation rather than differences in magmatic flux. Our contribution has key implications for modelling of magma dynamics and eruption ages using zircon age distributions.

Age–depth models assign ages to sampling locations (e.g., in drill cores), making them crucial to the determined timing and pace of past changes. We present two methods to estimate age–depth models from sedimentological and stratigraphic information, resulting in richer and more empirically realistic age–depth models. As a use case, we (1)  determine the timing of the Frasnian–Famennian extinction and (2) examine the duration of the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), a potential deep-time analog for anthropogenic climate change.

OCTOPUS v2.3 updates CRN Denudation, adding 1311 new river basins to the CRN Global and CRN Australia collections, totalling 5611 basins with recalculated beryllium-10 denudation rates and 561 with aluminium-26 rates. New fields include basin centroid latitude, effective atmospheric pressure, glacier extent, and quartz-bearing lithology percentages, improving data quality and interoperability with online erosion calculators.

Sediment generation on hillslopes and transport through river networks are complex processes that influence landscape evolution. In this study, we compiled sand from 766 river basins and measured its subtle radioactivity to unravel timelines of sediment routing around the world. With these data, we empirically confirm that sediment from large lowland basins in tectonically stable regions typically experiences long periods of burial, while sediment moves rapidly through small upland basins.

This article presents a new method to date geological events affecting sedimentary rocks. This method relies on the potential for the zircon U-Pb system to be disturbed during fluid-flow, alteration, and metamorphic events in sedimentary rocks. This article presents synthetic datasets for benchmarking the accuracy and precision of the discordance dating method, as well as data from detrital zircons found in the contact metamorphic aureole surround the Alta stock.

We apply luminescence dating of feldspars to establish a geochronological framework for the sequence of accretionary hillslope deposition at Jojosi, which contains important archaeological artefacts. We test and evaluate four different dose models and their applicability to single-grain and multi-grain data sets containing up to 67 % saturated grains. Our results constrain erosional and depositional processes from 100–700 ka and human occupation of the area in early MIS 5 and late MIS 6.

U–Pb dating of cave sediments has provided important new time constraints on the evolution of cave-dwelling organisms (including early humans) and of Earth's climate during the past 5 Myr. This paper shows that the most common type of U–Pb dating, which uses ²³⁸U and ²⁰⁶Pb, can be inaccurate beyond ca. 2 Myr ago. It proposes an alternative type of U–Pb dating, using ²³⁵U and ²⁰⁷Pb, as a more accurate alternative.

We used step heating to separate cosmogenic ³He from mantle ³He in olivine xenocrysts in which the mantle helium component is in high concentration after sample powdering. By isolating the matrix-sited cosmogenic ³He at low temperature, we were able to date four different lava flows on Volcano Mountain, the youngest eruptive center in the Fort Selkirk volcanic province in Yukon, Canada.  The four flows, including the stratigraphically youngest on the mountain, erupted coevally, at 10.5 ± 1.7 ka.

StratoBayes is a novel Bayesian method for aligning stratigraphic data from multiple sites. It integrates diverse information, such as geochemical signals and radiometric dates, and provides robust age estimates with quantified uncertainty for all sites. We use StratoBayes to correlate lower Cambrian δ¹³C records from Morocco with an undated record from Siberia, and estimate the age of the world’s oldest trilobites.

Accurate readings on the environmental gamma dose rate are important. Portable gamma-ray detectors, such as those that are NaI- or LaBr₃-based, are easy to handle and affordable. Limited information on alternatives, like CZT (cadmium zinc telluride) detectors, is available. We tested CZT detectors and found them suitable for in-field deployment. We used simulations and field tests to evaluate the optimal energy threshold for direct dose rate readings, making the CZT system a reliable alternative.

Sedimentary rocks are typically dated indirectly, by comparing the fossil content of basins with the geological timescale. In this study, we employed an absolute dating approach to date 19\,Myr old sediments in the Paris Basin, using uranium–lead dating of calcite nodules associated with soil formation. The precision of our new ages enable more accurate comparisons (independent of their fossil contents) between the Paris Basin and other basins of similar age.

We have built a database of (U-Th)/He ages and U and Th contents of goethites from various weathering environments. The database contains 2609 (U-Th)/He ages of goethites from 10 countries. The findings presented in this article contribute insights into the distribution of dated goethites from different environments globally and into the Earth's Cenozoic weathering history.

Laser-based dating of rocks and minerals is invaluable in geoscience. This study significantly advances our ability to model and correct for a process called down-hole fractionation (DHF) that impacts the accuracy and uncertainty of dates. We develop an algorithm that quantitatively models DHF patterns but can be used on other geoscientific data. The implications are far-reaching: improved accuracy, reduced uncertainty, and easier comparisons between different samples and laboratories.

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.

We present the first new image-based study to reveal how choices made by different analysts affect the results obtained by fission-track analysis. Participants analyzed an identical image dataset with varying grain quality. Experienced analysts tend to select lower numbers of unsuitable grains and conduct lower numbers of invalid length measurements. Fission-track studies need image data repositories, teaching modules, guidelines, an open science culture, and new approaches for calibration.

The Llanos de Moxos (Bolivian Amazon) host thousands of anthropogenic forest islands from the Holocene. These sites contain shell middens primarily composed of freshwater snails (Pomacea spp.), often used for ¹⁴C dating. To evaluate potential radiocarbon reservoir effects (RRE), modern Pomacea shells and coeval tree leaves were analysed. Results reveal no significant RRE, supporting their reliability for dating archaeological and paleoecological records in the region.

This study explores quartz veins in Germany's Rursee area, formed during the Variscan Orogeny and later reactivated by tectonic activity in the Jurassic–Cretaceous period. Using advanced isotopic dating techniques, it examines how these veins influenced fluid flow and quartz recrystallization. By tackling the challenges of dating fluid activity, this research offers new insights into argon gas degassing in quartz minerals.

In this contribution, we demonstrate in situ monazite lutetium–hafnium dating and compare results with uranium–lead dating. We present data from monazite reference materials and complex samples to demonstrate the viability of this method. We show that in situ lutetium–hafnium dating of monazite can resolve multiple age populations and may find use in scenarios where the uranium–lead system has been compromised.

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.

We evaluate different methods for the potassium (K) concentration determination in feldspars and the impact of the K concentrations on dose rate calculations for feldspar luminescence dating. Our results show discrepancies between published K concentrations and our measured K concentrations. Therefore, we emphasize measuring K concentrations via bulk measurements and single-grain techniques to obtain more accurate results.

Garnet U–Pb dating is useful for dating geologic events. However, contamination by U-rich minerals included in garnet is a risk. Inclusions are often spotted by high-U spikes or large errors in the age. We dated garnets in metamorphic rocks and calculated ages 10–15 Myr older than expected, reflecting contamination by the mineral zircon. We provide recommendations for identifying contamination and suggest that the bulk dating of zircon inclusions in garnet may also provide valuable information.

To improve U-Th zircon dating, we optimized a U-Th-Pb double-dating strategy for young zircon (150–300 ka). We found that the overall U-Th age spectrum is consistent whether assuming a constant melt composition or constant U/Th fractionation between zircon and melt, but testing the representability of the measured glass with the youngest isochron intercept proved essential. A Bayesian model with a uniform prior distribution gave the most accurate estimates of eruption timing for U-Th datasets.

This technical note develops and demonstrates an improvement in how to calculate the temperatures experienced by rocks as they come from deep in the Earth to the surface due to erosion in mountainous regions that feature significant topographic relief. The solution is fast and flexible, and works even in areas where erosion rates have varied through time. The new method has been added to software used to interpret thermochronologic data to help discern the history of mountain ranges.

Chemical abrasion (CA) is a two-step method for reducing Pb loss where zircon is annealed then partially dissolved. We use secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) to find closed- and open-system zircon domains in zircon that has been chemically abraded, annealed only, or untreated. Raman mapping identifies lattice damage in SIMS spots. Atom probe tomography (APT) results from both the discordant spots and the concordant ones are all homogeneous and identical. Thus, APT cannot distinguish discordant and concordant zircon.

We use a method called cosmogenic nuclide dating on bedrock surfaces and moraine boulders to determine the relative length of time an alpine glacier was larger or smaller than its current extent over the past 15 000 years. We also discuss several important limitations to this method. This method gives information on the duration of past ice advances and is useful in areas without other materials that can be dated.

This article presents a non-destructive method for studying laminated sediments with X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT). It aims to study the possibility of using μCT as an analytical tool to analyse varved sediments in the context of paleoclimatic studies. As a result, µCT offers the possibility of doing fast analysis and constitutes a powerful tool to improve the quality of results through the access of a 3D view, allowing for choosing the most representative part of a varved record.

Conventional (U-Th)/He thermochronology requires accurate calculation of mineral grain volume, often based on approximations to idealized geometries. However, there are many instances where knowingly altering the geometry by polishing grains for additional in situ data collection is desirable. This contribution provides a new method to calculate volume and other data for polished grains used in zircon (U-Th)/He thermochronology analysis using no-added-cost modifications of existing workflows.

The equatorial Pacific is an important region that helps determine Earth's climate. This work presents new age models for two sediment core sites located in that region, spanning the last 280 kyr. Our age models are based on new radiocarbon dates and oxygen isotope measurements. We also use the oxygen isotope data to infer changes in sea surface salinity patterns, finding evidence for a change in the position of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) on glacial and interglacial timescales.

We present an approach to dating of carbonates using isotopic maps. The maps are divided into squares called virtual spots. For each virtual spot, statistical values (mean, uncertainty) are used to determine the age. The user can modify the size and location of the virtual spots and select those that give the most robust age. This approach, applied to high-spatial-resolution images, makes it possible for the first time to obtain satisfactory ages on maps as small as 100 µm x 100 µm.

We show that portable X-ray fluorescence can be used to rapidly (ca. 90 s) estimate the rate of background radioactivity in sediment used to calculate burial ages in trapped charge dating studies. This procedure involves inputting a measurement of potassium concentration into a set of simple regression equations, defined by a large radionuclide dataset. Results show good agreement with high-precision methods. Our rapid method will help to quickly generate burial age estimates.

We tested the reliability of infrared radiofluorescence (IR-RF) dating of K-feldspar on samples of known age. We compare several measurement protocols and analysis variants and determine the most appropriate version. Additionally, we compare these results with those obtained using infrared photoluminescence (IRPL), an alternative dating method for K-feldspar, for the same samples. Our results confirm the dating potential of IR-RF and highlight similarities and differences to other methods.

Helium gas accumulates over time in minerals, but loss can occur depending on temperature. If partially retained, its loss can potentially be used for determining past surface temperatures. This study uses a model that accounts for complex gas loss to analyze helium retention in two minerals commonly found on the surface of Antarctica. We find one of the minerals retains helium, while the other loses nearly all of the gas within 100 years, making it unsuitable as a climate reconstruction.

Marine sediments contain valuable information about past climate changes. However, dating Pleistocene marine sediments can be difficult, and the accuracy of the age model depends on the quality of the stratigraphic alignment target. We introduce three targets – Atlantic, Pacific, and global – with three distinct chronologies for the global target that incorporate astronomical forcing constraints to various degrees. This suite of targets offers flexibility in age model construction.

In this study, Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL), Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) and Laser Ablation-Induced Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectroscopy (La-ICPMS) trace element (TE) analyses shows that TE composition may influence OSL and ESR-Ti sensitivities in quartz, which vary with bedrock type. Pressure may take a part in OSL/ESR-Ti sensitivities variability while ESR-Al intensities could be linked to initial fluid composition and crystallization conditions

The timing of an ancient gravity slide that originated in the Marysvale volcanic field (Utah) is constrained using ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of pseudotachylyte, a friction-induced glass that is generated during slide movement, and the volcanic tuffs that were displaced by the slide and those that overly the slide mass. Our results suggest that the Sevier gravity slide occurred at 25.25 Ma. The removal of such a large volume of material likely allowed for the eruption of the Antimony Tuff at 25.19 Ma. 

We developed a faster and simpler method to measure helium gas in targeted minerals within whole rocks to determine how long they have been exposed at Earth's surface. Instead of manually separating minerals, our method uses heat to release gas from the specific minerals of interest. This reduces time, cost, and physical effort, making it easier to collect large amounts of data when studying landscape change or when only small rock samples are available.

This paper describes measurements of cosmogenic neon-21 concentrations in a widely distributed mineral standard material that is routinely used for quality control and interlaboratory comparison for measurements of other cosmic-ray-produced nuclides useful for various geochronology applications. Broadly, this facilitates improvement of precision and accuracy of these measurements and their applications in geochronology.