9720162 SPELL This award provides funding to establish the Nevada Isotope Geochronology Laboratory under the direction of Dr. Terry Spell in the Department of Geoscience at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. This facility will be able to process geological samples from academic, industrial, and state and federal government laboratories. At present, researchers must wait for extended periods of time to have samples processed at laboratories outside of Nevada. The laboratory will enhance research for scientists investigating subject areas ranging from genesis of ore bearing strata to dating of fossil materials. In addition, the specialized instrumentation capable of surface exposure dating of very recent strata will be applicable to studies of climate change, constraining erosion rates and volcanic hazards assessment. Support is provided primarily for equipment (a MAP 215-50 Rare Gas Mass Spectrometer and related instrumentation and analytical equipment) and salary and benefits for a full-time technician committed to running samples and maintaining the instrumentation. Establishment of a Geochronology Laboratory in Nevada will provide important infrastructure of use in both basic and applied research, facilitate the research of scientists from a breadth of academic disciplines, and contribute to economic growth and development in the state by serving industrial clients involved in ore and petroleum exploration.
