In this Small Grant for Exploratory Research (SGER), it is proposed to test a new geochronological technique based on U-series disequilibrium of cogenetic non-silicate minerals to date young lava flows. Previous attempts to dating lavas with U-series isotopic techniques have been problematic due to the fact that silicate crystals have variable magma residence times and, in many cases, do not have the requisite U concentration and U/Th ratios. The proposed analytical plan will be focused on the mineral gypsum. Gypsum is a common cogenetic mineral in basalts often found in lava tubes. They have the required high U and low Th concentrations. Preliminary data on gypsum crystals give encouraging but mixed results. The ultimate purpose of this SGER will be to develop a set of criteria to distinguish datable materials from those that are not by using strontium, sulfur and in some cases radium isotopic data in a suitable field area. These will be used eventually to document and establish the likelihood that this new technique is feasible for a number of different rock types. If successful, results from this project will have broad applicability in the Earth Sciences.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Earth Sciences (EAR)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
0841426
Program Officer
Sonia Esperanca
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2008-08-15
Budget End
2009-07-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$52,624
Indirect Cost
Name
University of New Mexico
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Albuquerque
State
NM
Country
United States
Zip Code
87131