Mantle Geochronology and the Age of the Sub-cratonic Lithosphere
نویسنده
چکیده
Introduction High precision in situ analysis of trace-element compositions and isotope ratios has revolutionised geochronology and geochemistry over the past decade. Most of the advances are due to the proliferation of laser-ablation microprobe inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and the rapid development of the multi-collector (MC-) ICP-MS. One of the main benefits of in situ analysis is that it allows the isotopic data to be interpreted in a microstructural context and to be integrated with geochemical data from other microanalytical techniques. This approach not only provides age information but helps to constrain the nature of the source rocks and to unravel the processes that have subsequently modified it.
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