The principal investigator will develop new means to predict diffusion kinetics data for rock-forming minerals, measure specific cation diffusion kinetics useful for predictive capabilities, and collect new oxygen diffusion data to clarify contradictions in the literature. One objective of this work is to establish a framework that permits computation of a diffusion coefficient for any particular mineral under a given set of physical conditions, and in turn develop a data base that can be used to solve a range of problems for which diffusion data are not yet available. An attempt also will be made to understand the diffusion data on a sound theoretical basis. Results will have wide application in geochronology, metamorphic petrology, and many other areas of geology.
