Geochronology (Geology 496/596)



Geochronology (Geology 496/596)

Fall 2008

Lecture: TWTh 10-10:50 AM, Lind Hall 102

Lab: Th 2-4:50 PM, Hebeler 108

Instructor: Dr. Chris Mattinson

Office: Lind Hall 108D

E-mail: mattinson@geology.cwu.edu

Tel: (509) 963-1628

Office Hours: M 10-12 AM or by appointment

Required Text: Radiogenic Isotope Geology by Alan Dickin



Course Description: Geochronology will cover the principles, analytical methods, and interpretation of several of the most widely applied geochronologic methods. The class will emphasize how to select the most appropriate method to answer a given geological problem as well as how to evaluate and interpret data in the scientific literature. Labs will include computer exercises using real geochronologic data. Graduate students will present a 20 minute talk on application of geochronology to their research interests. Some prior knowledge of basic chemistry, physics, and mineralogy is assumed.

Student Learning Outcomes: Students will know how to: (1) evaluate and interpret geochronologic data, (2) select the most appropriate geochronologic tools to answer a given geologic problem, (3) correctly evaluate the uncertainties associated with geochronologic measurements.

Laboratories: Lab exercises are due at the beginning of lecture one week after the lab date, unless otherwise indicated. We will use the computer program Isoplot, a plug-in for Excel written in visual basic by Ken Ludwig of the Berkeley Geochronology Center. A USB memory stick will be useful for transferring files, and you are welcome to bring your own laptop computer to lab.

Late assignments: Two “grace days” are given: you may turn in one assignment two days late, or two assignments one day late without penalty. Other late assignments will be marked down 10%, 1 day late; 30%, 2 days late; 50%, 3 days late; 70%, 4 days late, and will not be accepted after 5 days. Weekends and holidays are not counted toward the number of late days.

Grading: Geol 496 Geol 596

Labs and homework 60% 48%

Midterm exam 15% 12%

Final exam 25% 20%

Class presentation -- 20%

Policy on Cheating: CWU requests that we clearly state our policy regarding cheating, although we do not expect any problems in this class. You are welcome to work together on labs and homeworks, but all work must be expressed in your own words, numbers, etc.! Violation will result in no credit for the assignment involved. More egregious activities will receive harsher treatment.

Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities who wish to set up academic adjustments should give me a copy of their “Confirmation of Eligibility for Academic Adjustments” from the Disability Support Services Office within the first week of class so we can discuss how the approved adjustments will be implemented.

Schedule:

Date Lecture Topic Lab Topic

Sept. 24 Introduction

Sept. 25 Isotope Review --

Sept. 30 Radioactive Decay

Oct. 1 Decay Equations and solutions

Oct. 2 Mass spectrometry I: Thermal ionization Decay experiment

Oct. 7 Simple decay I: the Rb-Sr system, isochrons

Oct. 8 Simple decay II: The Sm-Nd system

Oct. 9 Introduction to Isoplot Rb-Sr & Sm-Nd

Oct. 14 Branched decay: the K-Ar and 40Ar/39Ar systems

Oct. 15 Diffusion and thermochronology

Oct. 16 Mass spectrometry II: Laser and Furnace heating K-Ar & 40Ar/39Ar

Oct. 21 Chain decay I: the U-Pb system

Oct. 22 Interpretation and the U-Pb concordia diagram

Oct. 23 Mass spectrometry III: SIMS & LA-ICP-MS U-Pb

Oct. 28 Pb isotopes and the age of the Earth;

MIDTERM EXAM

Oct. 29 Chain decay II: the U-series systems

Oct. 30 U-series applications in different environments U-series

Nov. 4 The (U+Th)/He system

Nov. 5 The Fission-track method

Nov. 6 Multi-method thermochronology, applications (U+Th)/He & FT

Nov. 11 VETERAN’S DAY HOLIDAY-NO CLASS

Nov. 12 Introduction to cosmogenic isotopes

Nov. 13 Atmospheric production: the 14C system 14C

Nov. 18 In-situ production: the 10Be and 26Al systems

Nov. 19 Accelerator mass spectrometry

Nov. 20 Summary 10Be & 26Al

Nov. 25 Student presentations

Nov. 26 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY-NO CLASS

Nov. 27 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY-NO CLASS --

Dec. 2 Student presentations

Dec. 3 Student presentations

Dec. 4 Review --

Dec. 10 Final Exams due at 12:00 NOON

If you have any conflicts with the lab or exam times (midterm and final are both take-home exams), contact me within the first week of class to make other arrangements.

Reading:

Sept. 24-25 Ch. 1, p. 1-4 Nucleosynthesis

Sept. 30-Oct. 1 Ch. 1, p. 7-13 Radioactive decay

Oct. 2 Ch. 2, p. 15-16 Mass spectrometry

Ch. 2, p. 21-14 Mass fractionation

Ch. 2, p. 24-29 Magnetic-sector mass spectrometry

Ch. 2, p. 29-32 Isotope dilution

Oct. 7-9 Ch. 2, p. 34-38 Isochron regression-line fitting

Ch. 3, p. 42-51 The Rb-Sr system

Ch. 2, p. 16-17 Chemical separation methods

Ch. 4, p. 70-80 The Sm-Nd system, model ages

Oct. 14-16 Ch. 10, p. 254-268 The K-Ar and 40Ar/39Ar systems

Ch. 10, p. 269-279 Thermochronology, calibration

Oct. 21-23 Ch. 5, p. 101-115 U-Pb, SIMS, LA-ICP-MS

Ch. 2, p. 17-18 Chemical separation methods

Ch. 2, p. 20-21, 32-34 LA-ICP-MS

Oct. 28-30 Ch. 5, p. 115-123 Pb-isotopes and the age of the Earth

Ch. 12, p. 324-329 U-Series, daughter-excess methods

Ch. 12, p. 339-343 U-series, daughter-deficiency methods

Ch. 13, p. 353-356 U-series in igneous rocks

Nov. 4-6 Ch. 16, p. 451-468 Fission-track dating, thermochronology

Nov. 12-13 Ch. 14, p. 383-391 Cosmogenic isotopes, 14C

Nov. 18-20 Ch. 14, p. 395-398 Accelerator mass spectrometry

Ch. 14, p. 398-400 10Be; p. 414-417 26Al

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