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High-Precision U-Pb Zircon Geochronology and the Stratigraphic Record: Progress and Promise

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 July 2017

Samuel A. Bowring ,
Blair Schoene ,
James L. Crowley ,
Jahandar Ramezani  and
Daniel J. Condon
Samuel A. Bowring
Affiliation:
Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, sbowring@mit.edu
Blair Schoene
Affiliation:
Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, sbowring@mit.edu
James L. Crowley
Affiliation:
Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, sbowring@mit.edu
Jahandar Ramezani
Affiliation:
Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, sbowring@mit.edu
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Abstract

High-precision geochronological techniques have improved in the past decade to the point where volcanic ash beds interstratified with fossil-bearing rocks can be dated to a precision of 0.1% or better. The integration of high-precision U-Pb zircon geochronology with bio/chemo-stratigraphic data brings about new opportunities and challenges toward constructing a fully calibrated time scale for the geologic record, which is necessary for a thorough understanding of the distribution of time and life in Earth history. Successful implementation of geochronology as an integral tool for the paleontologist relies on a basic knowledge of its technical aspects, as well as an ability to properly evaluate and compare geochronologic results from different methods. This paper summarizes the methodology and new improvements in U-Pb zircon geochronology by isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry, specifically focused on its application to the stratigraphic record.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Paleontological Society Papers , Volume 12: Geochronology: Emerging Opportunities , October 2006 , pp. 25 - 45
Copyright
Copyright © by the Paleontological Society 

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