SPEED DATING!: ADVICE ON SAMPLING AND APPLICATIONS FOR FISSION-TRACK DATING

Fission-track analysis is a dating technique that allows quantification of cooling and heating processes that occur in the upper crust (3–12 km depths) and over time scales from millions to hundreds of millions of years. Fission-track dating can be applied to various minerals, but the most widely used and most practical are apatite and zircon, which differ in their effective closure range from ~60–110°C to ~240–300°C, respectively. These minerals are common accessories in most magmatic and metamorphic rocks, and also in clastic sediment due to their resistance to weathering. Consequently, the range of applications for fission-track analysis is wide and it is crucial to understand the basic analytical method as well as the varying thermal processes in the upper crust to choose the appropriate mineral, sampling strategy, and analytical technique to answer specific geologic questions.

The purpose of this presentation is to provide both new and experienced researchers with access to fission-track dating experts in order to allow the researcher to learn the latest sampling strategies, field methods, laboratory procedures, and data analysis protocols. We will also provide information about rapidly evolving analytical techniques used in conjunction with fission-track dating such as double and triple dating (fission track combined with U-Pb and (U-Th)/He dating), Raman spectroscopy, as well as thermal modeling.

Users who might otherwise have no prior instruction in thermochronology can seek information and advice from lead scientists in fission-track analysis. We provide examples of preferred sampling strategies for geologic applications such as: 1) erosion and exhumation studies of active orogens, 2) quantification of timing, rates, and amount of fault displacement, 3) thermal evolution of sediment basin strata, and 4) sediment provenance and source-to-sink studies.

This presentation will allow one-on-one interaction, material on field and lab procedures, lists of available labs, and displays on new and innovative approaches. Or if you are just curious to see a fission track – come visit us.