Radiogenic isotope geology

Table of Contents

1. Nucleosynthesis and nuclear decay
2. Mass spectrometry
3. The Rb-Sr method
4. The Sm-Nd method
5. Lead isotopes
6. Isotope geochemistry of oceanic volcanics
7. Isotope geochemistry of continental rocks
8. Osmium isotopes
9. Lu-Hf, Ba-La-Ce, and K-Ca systems
10. K-Ar, Ar-Ar and U-He dating
11. Noble gas geochemistry
12. U-series dating
13. U-series geochemistry of igneous systems
14. Cosmogenic nuclides
15. Extinct radionuclides
16. Fission track dating
Appendix 1: chart of the nuclides
Appendix 2: meteorite types.

The third edition of Radiogenic Isotope Geology examines revolutionary changes in geochemical thinking that have occurred over the past fifteen years. Extinct-nuclide studies on meteorites have called into question fundamental geochemical models of the Earth, while new dating methods have challenged conventional views of Earth history. At the same time, the problem of global warming has raised new questions about the causes of past and present climate change. In the new edition, these and other recent issues are evaluated in their scholarly and historical context, so readers can understand the development of current ideas. Controversial theories, new analytical techniques, classic papers, and illustrative case studies all come under scrutiny in this book, providing an accessible introduction for students and critical commentary for researchers.