Evaluating the Potential of Zircon and Monazite in Thermochronometry of High Temperature Crustal Processes

该项目将测试并应用一种新的方法来估算经过高温变质作用的锆石和独居石晶体的不同区域的U/Pb组成和生长时间。该技术结合了阴极发光、背散射电子成像和离子探针分析。该方法将在位于卡罗来纳西南部蓝岭和加州东南部老妇山区的两个天然实验室的锆石和独居石上进行测试。此外，实验室实验将检查对锆石和独居石生长动力学的控制。实地和实验室测试相结合的结果将使人们更清楚地了解矿物带的U/Pb分析所定的年代，这将对所有造山带的构造热研究产生影响。

9506551 Miller This project will test and apply a new methodology for estimating the U/Pb composition, and hence time of growth, of differently zoned areas of zircons and monazite crystals that have undergone high temperature metamorphism. The technique uses a combination of cathodoluminescence and backscattered electron imaging and ion microprobe analysis. The methodology will be tested on zircons and monazites from two natural laboratories in the Blue Ridge of southwestern Carolina and the Old Woman Mountains area of southeastern California. In addition, laboratory experiments will examine the controls on zircon and monazite growth kinetics. The results of this combinations of field and laboratory tests will enable a clearer understanding of what is being dated by U/Pb analyses of mineral zones, which will have an impact of tectonothermal studies of all orogenic belts.