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Argon Geochronology

Project Objectives

The argon lab is presently not in use. This project will re-establish the argon geochronology laboratory facility in Denver. This project will bring the lab up to high standards and make it avaliable for obtaining dates for USGS researchers. The versitility of the technique, particularly ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar, answers such questions of the age of minerals formed during crystallization or recrystallization of rocks, hydrothermal events, and uplift. The geologist is dependent on the geochronologist for data and interpretation to determine these parameters.

The Ar facility will provide ⁴⁰Ar³⁹Ar ages, which can be used for a variety of problems including the age of igneous rocks, hydrothermal fluid movement, fault movement, and range uplift, and interpretations, as well as work with, USGS geologists and other Federal agency projects. The facility also will be a research lab where new techniques and methods are developed for the use of Ar geochronology.

Relevance & Impact

The geochronologist will have a large impact on Central Region. Central Region has not had access to an argon laboratory recently, and that has slowed many projects. The lab will be invaluable in determining geologic relationships and timing of events.