The isotopic composition of atmospheric argon and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology: Time for a change?

A redetermination of the isotopic composition of atmospheric argon by Lee, J.-Y., Marti, K., Severinghaus, J.P., Kawamura, K., Yoo, H.-S., Lee, J.B., Kim, J.S. [2006. A redetermination of the isotopic abundances of atmospheric Ar. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 70, 4507–4512] represents the first refinement since the work of Nier [1950. A redetermination of the relative abundances of the isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and potassium. Physical Reviews 77, 789–793]. The new ⁴⁰Ar:³⁸Ar:³⁶Ar proportions imply <1% adjustments to ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages in all but exceptional cases of very young and/or K-poor and/or Ca-rich samples, or cases in which samples are grossly under- or over-irradiated. Analytical protocols employing atmospheric argon to determine mass discrimination corrections are insensitive to the effects of revision on the air correction, but are subject to non-negligible adjustments arising from expanded heavy to light isotope ratios attending the increased mass discrimination correction. The competing effects of increased ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁷Ar ratios render the adjustments a function of sample chemistry and neutron irradiation parameters. The improved precision of atmospheric ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar and ³⁸Ar/³⁶Ar permits increasingly sensitive detection of departures from atmospheric values. Non-atmospheric initial ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar values are increasingly well-documented in volcanic materials, including subatmospheric values correlated with ³⁸Ar/³⁶Ar in a trend consistent with kinetic mass fractionation whereby incomplete equilibration between magma and atmosphere favors light isotope enrichment in the magma. The detailed mechanism(s) of such fractionation are unclear and must be clarified by further study. A detectable increase in atmospheric ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar in the past 800 ka [Bender, M.L., Barnett, B., Dreyfus, G., Jouzel, J., Porcelli, D., 2008. The contemporary degassing rate of ⁴⁰Ar from the Earth. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 105, 8232–8237] suggests that ages of late Quaternary (e.g., <100 ka) materials incorporating large amounts of atmospheric argon such as biotite may be underestimated by as much as 100% if a modern atmospheric ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar value is erroneously assumed, unless air argon is used to determine mass discrimination. Further evaluation of the evolution of paleoatmospheric ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar, and the fidelity with which argon trapped in igneous materials reflects this, would be very productive. The use of isochrons rather than model (e.g., plateau) ages mitigates the vagaries associated with uncertain trapped argon isotope ratios, and the importance of strategies to derive statistically valid isochrons is underscored.     

一种新的K—Ar和^40Ar—^39Ar等时线—^40Ar／^40K—^36Ar／^40K和^40Ar／^39Ar—^36Ar／^39Ar等时线

通过理论推导，提出了一种新的K－Ar、^40Ar-^39Ar等时线：^40Ar/^40K-^36Ar/^40K、^40Ar/^39Ar-^36Ar/^39Ar等时线。通过实例证明它与其它等时线方法可以进行相互检验。在一些不能利用其它等时线方法的情况下，新的^40Ar/^40K-^36Ar/^40K、^40Ar/^39Ar-^36Ar/^39Ar等时线方法可以充分显示它的使用价值和存在意义。     

Fuerteventura – Assessment of a calibration site for cosmogenic 3He exposure dating with the 40Ar/39Ar incremental heating method

In situ Terrestrial Cosmogenic Nuclides (hereafter TCNs) are increasingly important for absolutely dating terrestrial events and processes. This study aimed at improving our knowledge of the production rate of Terrestrial Cosmogenic ³He formed in situ in rock surfaces at low latitude and sea level as well as re-evaluation of the Canary Islands as a calibration site for TCNs. For this purpose, we sampled basaltic lava flows from some of the youngest and yet undated volcanic sites and used the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar incremental heating method on groundmass samples and in situ cosmogenic ³He on olivine and clinopyroxene phenocrysts. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar analysis was done on a Hiden HAL Series 1000 triple filter quadrupole mass spectrometer with extraction furnace. Incremental heating data shows ages in the Late Pleistocene from 52.7 ± 21.6 ka to 398.6 ± 27.6 ka.We measured cosmogenic ³He concentrations in olivine and clinopyroxene phenocrysts from flow top samples on a MAP 215-50 sector mass spectrometer with a crushing device and a diode laser extraction system. Exposure age calculations yielded ages in the range 38.9 ± 4.0 ka to 62.3 ± 6.7 ka for the youngest lava flow and the data series is in broad agreement with the argon data up to 250 ka and reveals a more continuous time line of volcanism during the late Pleistocene on the island. However, the dataset was not sufficient for calculation of production rates for in situ Terrestrial Cosmogenic ³He as many samples showed signs of erosion. Calculated erosion rates range from none to as high as 7.3 mm/kyr assuming a rock density of 2.9 g/cm². This finding puts a constraint on the use of Fuerteventura as a calibration site for exposure histories older than 50–100 ka. A comparison with cosmogenic ³⁶Cl data supports these findings and indicates substantial weathering.     

Study of Seismic Clusters at Bahía de Banderas Region,Mexico

The coast in the state of Jalisco and south of Nayarit is located within a region of high seismic potential, increasing population, and tourism development. This motivated Civil Defense authorities of Jalisco and the Universidad de Guadalajara to launch in the year 2000 the assessment of the seismic risk of the region. This work focuses in the seismicity study of the area of Bahía de Banderas and northern coast of Jalisco, which is actually a seismic gap. We perform an analysis of available seismograms to characterize active crustal structures, their relationship to surface morphology, and possible extent of these structures into the bay shallow parts. The data consist of waveforms recorded during 2003 when the seismograph network spanned the region. Our method is based on the identification of seismic clusters or families using cross-correlation of waveforms, earthquake relocation and modeling of fault planes. From an initial data set of 404 located earthquakes, 96 earthquakes with M_L < 3.6 are related to 17 potentially active continental structures. We present fault plane model for 11 structures. A subgroup of 7 structures is aligned parallel to the Middle America Trench, as a possible consequence of oblique subduction. The foci of the earthquakes were grouped into clusters corresponding to fault dimensions of hundred of meters, may be considered as asperities or barriers in tectonic structures with lengths between 10 and 30 km. These structures could generate shallow earthquakes with magnitudes between 5.0 and 6.0 and represent an additional seismic threat to the region.     

辽北法库构造岩系的40Ar/39Ar年代学研究及地质意义

由于缺乏可靠的同位素年代学资料,辽北法库地区的变质岩系一直被看作地台基底型建造,近期研究确认它们属于原岩为深成侵入体和火山-沉积岩系、后经韧性剪切作用而形成的变形变质岩系.它们与遭受同期动力变质作用影响的同构造侵入岩一道构成了规模巨大的法库构造岩系.报道了该套构造岩系中花岗质糜棱岩的40Ar/39Ar同位素测年结果FK53角闪石的256Ma坪年龄和FK51-1黑云母的262 Ma高温坪年龄记录了古生代末洋壳向陆内俯冲或多陆块碰撞背景下发育的花岗岩抬升至浅部地壳层次的冷却年龄,FK51-1黑云母的231 Ma主坪年龄和FK51-2钾长石的227 Ma可能代表了绿片岩相条件下花岗质岩石经历韧性变形作用即法库构造岩系的形成年龄.FK51-2钾长石的年龄梯度197～220 Ma记录了构造岩系形成之后比较平稳的抬升冷却历程,而其180 Ma坪年龄则可能与太平洋板块向华北板块俯冲背景下的构造剥蚀事件有关.同时报道了后期侵入花岗岩的锆石U-Pb和40Ar/39Ar同位素测年结果FK54锆石的U-Pb年龄(159Ma)代表了红土墙子超单元花岗岩的侵入年龄,也界定了法库构造岩系的形成年龄上限,FK54钾长石的125 Ma坪年龄则可能记录了华北板块与西伯利亚板块最终碰撞背景下的构造剥蚀事件.这些同位素年龄记录为重新认识法库断凸之内涵以及华北地台与兴蒙褶皱系的缝合边界提供了重要的年代学约束.     

K–Ar geochronology of a Quaternary monogenetic volcano group in Ojika Jima District, Southwest Japan

 An unspiked K–Ar dating method using a mass-fractionation correction procedure was applied to a Quaternary independent group of monogenetic volcanoes, Ojikajima Volcano Group, located in northwestern Kyushu in Southwest Japan, in order to clarify in detail secular variations in eruptive volume, locations of eruptive vents, and magma compositions in a single monogenetic volcano group. The major results were as follows: (a) K–Ar ages of monogenetic volcanoes distribute from 1.08 to 0.30 Ma, with voluminous peaks at approximately 1.0 and 0.6 Ma. (b) The volcanic activity commenced in the central part of the field, expanded to the whole field at approximately 0.6 Ma, and then shrank to the central area. (3) Concentrations of incompatible elements, such as Ba, K, and Nb, increase with decreasing age, whereas P, Y, and Zr concentrations remain constant. These concentrations suggest gradual decrease in the degree of partial melting from an identical mantle source with residual garnet. Received: 15 December 1997 / Accepted: 23 May 1998     

Combined unspiked K–Ar and 40Ar/39Ar dating applied to the dating of 80–260 ka old Icelandic sub-glacial rhyolites

We have used two techniques (i.e. K–Ar and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar) on Icelandic obsidian samples to produce and more specially to estimate the quality and accuracy of the ages that can be obtained. Following a meticulous protocol, we were able to date six rhyolitic eruptions with an accuracy 7 to 40 times better than those obtained previously. Among these six rhyolites are the first published K–Ar and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of Krafla.The combined K–Ar and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar approach produces not only highly precise but also accurate ages. Such high precision makes it possible to produce accurate reconstructions of ice thickness at a given location and time, to test whether there was a possible link between deglaciation and rhyolitic volcanism onset in Iceland, and to explore other possible applications of the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating method to paleo-environmental and paleo-climatic reconstruction at Iceland's latitude.Then, we investigate, by combining geochemistry (i.e. determination of major and trace element composition) and geochronology (i.e. dating of rhyolitic eruptions via K–Ar and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating) for a number of Icelandic rhyolitic volcanoes whose activity could be recorded in North Atlantic sedimentary cores as well as in Arctic ice. The aim of this approach is to provide new independent anchors and correlations between climate records. Of the six dated eruptions, we propose that one is record in North Atlantic sediments, the Loðmundur eruption that constitutes one of the Kerlingarfjöll tuyas, which we date at 189.9 ± 1.1 ka and assume to be the source of the tephra recognized in core MD04-2822 at a depth of 3630–3631 cm.     

尚义-赤城断裂带中糜棱岩40Ar/39Ar年龄记录及地质意义

黑云母的40Ar/39Ar同位素年龄表明, 尚义-赤城断裂带中的中温糜棱岩形成于泥盆纪早期(399 Ma±), 低温退变质作用发生在石炭纪晚期(263 Ma±). 同位素年龄记录提示, 对华北陆块在古生代的构造活动有重新再认识的必要性; 同时说明了古断裂的复活在板内变形的重要性.     

Surface Soil Effects Study Using Short-period Microtremor Observations in Almería City, Southern Spain

—?In Almería city large earthquakes occurred and many buildings were completely destroyed in these historical earthquakes. The actual population of Almería city is about 200,000 people. This population is rapidly increasing and new urbanizing areas are growing to the eastern part of the city where they are located in softer soil conditions. Consequently, the evaluation of surface soil conditions is very important from a standpoint of earthquake disaster mitigation. We have obtained a landform classification map developed by analysing aerial photos, large-scale topographic maps and 80 borehole data. Eleven unit areas, which have different soil conditions, were inferred from this research. Also, S-wave velocity prospecting tests were carried out at several sites within the city. The shear-velocity values of the ground vary from 1689?m/s in hard rock to 298?m/s in soft soil. These results are useful for understanding the uppermost soil characteristics and are used for soil classification. Finally, short-period microtremor observations were densely carried out in the research area and NAKAMURA's method (1989) was applied for determining predominant periods. Microtremors were observed at about 173 sites with mainly 400?m interval in rock sites and 200?m interval in relatively soft soil sites. From the result of these microtremor measurements, the predominant period determined at rock site, in the western part of the city and historic area, is very short, about 0.1?s, and very stable. However at soft soil sites, in the center of the city, near Zapillo Beach and in the newly developed urban area, the predominant period is about 1.0?s and even larger in concordance with the geological conditions. Finally, at medium soil sites, in the eastern part of the city, the predominant period is about 0.4?s and it appears very stable in the whole region. The difference of predominant periods between hard rock and soft soil sites is very clear and it has been observed that the distribution of predominant periods depends heavily on the surface soil conditions.     

Monitoring of Guadalentín valley (southern Spain) through a fast SAR Interferometry method

Ground subsidence is a critical problem in populated areas, which requires attention and routine monitoring. Specifically, subsidence related to the exploitation of aquifer systems is of particular interest in terms of risk for the possible damage to buildings and availability of water resources. We propose to realise a survey of the aquifer systems near the city of Lorca, southern Spain, using Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (InSAR) with a light method necessitating a small number of interferograms rather than analysing hundreds of radar images. We computed nine interferograms with good coherence over the years 2004 and 2005. We analysed them by a two-step filtering process in order to characterise the atmospheric contribution and the ground deformation. We are then able to identify two deforming areas and quantify subsidence rates at 0.20 ± 0.02 mm/day south of Lorca and southeast to the city of Alhama de Murcia with the same efficiency as the studies using sophisticated InSAR methods. Using continuous records of water levels in boreholes, we deduced a mean storage coefficient (S_k) at 4.1 × 10^− 3 which is very close to the previous published values, and coincides in this case to an inelastic deformation mode of all the system. With this value, we determine the groundwater level variations from the measurements of the ground subsidence.     

Effect of self-weight consolidation on a hydro-sedimentological model for the Río de la Plata estuary

The effect of the consolidation process on the morphodynamics and fine sediment dynamics of the Río de la Plata estuary is explored through a circulation-wave-sediment transport model. The consolidation model is calibrated based on settling column experimental data. Different simulations are done in order to initialize the mud layer distribution and to investigate the impact of different erosion parameter assumptions on the modeled sediment dynamics. Finally a two-year simulation is done with and without the consolidation process and realistic hydrodynamic forcings. Considering the consolidation process, the model correctly reproduces measured vertical density profiles in the Montevideo Bay access channel. The simulated suspended sediment dynamics behavior in Montevideo Bay with the consolidation process provides a more realistic deposition pattern in regard to the dredging activities.     

骑田岭花岗岩~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar同位素年龄及其地质意义

报道骑田岭岩体长石~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar定年的结果.~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar方法定年在骑田岭岩体还是首次应用.测定的3个正长石样品~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar坪年龄(Ma)分别为(139.57±2.79)(2KL 17),(140.55±2.81)(99LQ-2),(144.91土2.90)(2KL-31),上述年龄反映了骑田岭岩体主体芙蓉和菜岭超单元岩浆冷却到正长石Ar-Ar封闭的年龄.可以认为这是岩体形成的最小年龄.其中2KL-31样品采自前人划为菜岭超单元的印支期花岗岩.菜岭超单元和芙蓉超单元年龄相近,与两单元地球化学特征与岩石结构的相似性以及正长石斑晶在几乎全岩体中呈NW-SE定向排列的地质事实相吻合.表明芙蓉与菜岭两个超单元岩体是晚侏罗世同源岩浆分异的产物.对骑田岭岩体和千里山岩体进行了对比讨论.     

骑田岭花岗岩~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar同位素年龄及其地质意义

报道骑田岭岩体长石~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar定年的结果。~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar方法定年在骑田岭岩体还是首次应用。测定的3个正长石样品~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar坪年龄(Ma)分别为(139.57±2.79)(2KL-17),(140.55±2.81)(99LQ-2),(144.91±2.90)(2KL-31),上述年龄反映了骑田岭岩体主体芙蓉和菜岭超单元岩浆冷却到正长石Ar-Ar封闭的年龄。可以认为这是岩体形成的最小年龄。其中2KL-31样品采自前人划为菜岭超单元的印支期花岗岩。菜岭超单元和芙蓉超单元年龄相近,与两单元地球化学特征与岩石结构的相似性以及正长石斑晶在几乎全岩体中呈NW-SE定向排列的地质事实相吻合。表明芙蓉与菜岭两个超单元岩体是晚侏罗世同源岩浆分异的产物。对骑田岭岩体和千里山岩体进行了对比讨论。     

Intercalibration of international and domestic ~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar dating standards

40Ar/39Ar method is a high precision dating means, of which the age is obtained by contrasting the un- known sample with those of standards. Usually the age of standard is determined by K-Ar method in which the 38Ar spike should be added for measurement. However, the absolute concentration of 38Ar spike is measured through the calibrated standards in turn, al- though occasionally the concentration of 38Ar spike is determined by other dating methods, such as Rb-Sr, U-Pb methods, which is kn…     

一种新的K-Ar和~(40)Ar-~(39)Ar等时线——~(40)Ar/~(40)K-~(36)Ar/~(40)K和~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar-~(36)Ar/~(39)Ar等时线

通过理论推导 ,提出了一种新的K -Ar、4 0 Ar - 39Ar等时线 :4 0 Ar/ 40 K - 36Ar/ 40 K、4 0 Ar/ 39Ar - 36Ar/ 39Ar等时线。通过实例证明它与其它等时线方法可以进行相互检验。在一些不能利用其它等时线方法的情况下 ,新的4 0 Ar/ 40 K - 36Ar/ 40 K和4 0 Ar/ 39Ar- 36Ar/ 39Ar等时线方法可以充分显示它的使用价值和存在意义