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Geology; January 2005; v. 33; no. 1; p. 29-32; DOI: 10.1130/G21063.1
© 2005 Geological Society of America
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Mineral isochrons and isotopic fingerprinting: Pitfalls and promises

Jon Davidson*,1, Bruce Charlier*,1, John M. Hora*,2 and Rebecca Perlroth*,3

1 Department of Earth Sciences, University of Durham, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
2 Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 1215 West Dayton Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
3 Santa Rosa Junior College, 1501 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa, California 95401-4395, USA

The determination of accurate and precise isochron ages for igneous rocks requires that the initial isotope ratios of the analyzed minerals are identical at the time of eruption or emplacement. Studies of young volcanic rocks at the mineral scale have shown this assumption to be invalid in many instances. Variations in initial isotope ratios can result in erroneous or imprecise ages. Nevertheless, it is possible for initial isotope ratio variation to be obscured in a statistically acceptable isochron. Independent age determinations and critical appraisal of petrography are needed to evaluate isotope data. If initial isotope ratio variability can be demonstrated, however, it can be used to constrain petrogenetic pathways.

Key Words: geochronology • igneous rocks • isotope geochemistry • isochrons




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