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U-Th dating of single zircons from young granitoid xenoliths: New tools for understanding volcanic processes

January 1, 2000

Multiple U-Th isotopic analyses of individual zircon crystals by ion microprobe define isochrons that discriminate between different crystallization ages of granitoid xenoliths in lavas erupted 1065 and 2000 years ago from Medicine Lake volcano, CA, USA. Zircon ages indicate at least two intrusive episodes, ~ 25 and ~ 90 ka, at times when silicic volcanism was rare, but basaltic volcanism was prevalent. Ar-Ar spectra require that the granitoids were completely crystalline thousands of years prior to their mobilization and eruption. These techniques demonstrate that individual zircon crystals can form rapidly enough to provide unique U-Th ages, and allow dating of < 300 ka xenoliths from volcanic eruptions. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Publication Year 2000
Title U-Th dating of single zircons from young granitoid xenoliths: New tools for understanding volcanic processes
DOI 10.1016/S0012-821X(00)00273-9
Authors J. B. Lowenstern, H.M. Persing, J. L. Wooden, M. Lanphere, J. Donnelly-Nolan, T.L. Grove
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Index ID 70022181
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse