Geochronology and Thermochronology by the

Argon isotopic dating is one of the most important techniques for estimating the ages of rocks and can be used on very small samples. It has been used to assign reliable ages to the Earth and numerous meteorites. This second edition covers the standard principles and methods and incorporates many of new developments from the last decade. It covers the basis of the method, technical aspects, data presentation, diffusion theory, thermochronology, and many applications and case studies.

Historical Introduction

3

(6)

General comments

3

(1)

Historical outline

4

(5)

Basis of the 40Ar/39Ar Dating Method

9

(35)

Potassium-argon dating

9

(3)

40Ar/39Ar dating

12

(2)

Potassium and its isotopes

14

(1)

The 40K decay scheme and constants

15

(1)

Derivation of age equations

16

(3)

Atmospheric argon

19

(1)

Materials suitable for dating

20

(19)

Range of applicability

39

(5)

Technical Aspects

44

(65)

Introduction

44

(1)

Sample preparation

44

(1)

Monitor minerals

45

(5)

Nuclear reactions

50

(1)

Nuclear reactors as a neutron source

51

(3)

The 39K(n,p)39 Ar reaction

54

(3)

Interfering nuclear reactions and correction factors

57

(8)

Optimization of irradiation parameters

65

(5)

Neutron flux gradients

70

(4)

Self-shielding

74

(1)

Temperature effects

74

(1)

Lattice damage

74

(1)

Decay factors

75

(1)

Total sample activity

75

(1)

Safety aspects

76

(1)

Argon extraction systems

76

(6)

Mass spectrometry

82

(11)

Laser microprobes

93

(16)

40Ar/39Ar Data Presentation and Interpretation

109

(28)

Introduction

109

(1)

Simple behavior (closed system)

109

(6)

Complex behavior (open sytem)

115

(5)

Mixed phases

120

(3)

Excess argon

123

(7)

Nuclear recoil

130

(1)

Grain size and distribution

131

(1)

Phase changes in vacuum

132

(1)

Resolution within the age spectrum

133

(4)

Appendix 4.A.1 Isochron analysis

134

(3)

Diffusion Theory and Measurements

137

(28)

Introduction

137

(1)

The process of diffusion

137

(1)

The phenomenological basis of diffusion theory

138

(1)

Methods of solution for constant D

139

(1)

Episodic 40Ar loss

140

(3)

Diffusion mechanisms

143

(2)

Measurement of argon diffusion in silicates

145

(20)

Appendix 5.A.1 Derivation of the diffusion equation

159

(2)

Appendix 5.A.2 Separation-of-variables solution for a plane sheet

161

(2)

Appendix 5.A.3 Translation to spherical coordinates

163

(1)

Appendix 5.A.4 Sample diffusion calculation

164

(1)

40Ar/39Ar Thermochronology

165

(26)

Introduction

165

(1)

The closure temperature concept

165

(8)

Models for complex argon diffusion behavior of silicates

173

(7)

Evaluation of the multidiffusion domain and multipath models

180

(5)

Nonmonotonic thermal histories

185

(6)

Appendix 6.A.1 Closure temperature for first-order loss

185

(2)

Appendix 6.A.2 Closure temperature for volume diffusion

187

(1)

Appendix 6.A.3 Closure profiles

188

(1)

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Geochronology and Thermochronology by the 40ar/39ar Method

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