As in the original edition of 1988, this book covers the principles and practice of argon isotopic dating, a technique that has been used to determine the numerical age of the Earth. The greater precision of the 40Ar/39Ar method allows scientists to test smaller geological samples than its precursor, the K-Ar method, which required a comparison of different elements. The new edition will incorporate new developments made in 40Ar/39Ar application over the last decade, made possible by advances in lasers and mass spectrometry.
Reviews
'This is one of the few second editions I have read that is a great improvment on the first edition. This has been achieved impressively by the authors ... many areas are claerly and succinctly written ... Clear schematic figures of instrumentation, data and modelling also make reading and understanding the book much easier and pleasant to the eye ... The chapters on diffusion theory and thermochronology are consumed with equations, but by the authors clearly develop each step of the procedure making it easier to follow. This is one of the main advantages of the book and helps to make it accessible to students ... a must for any laboratory using and developing techniques in geochronology and thermochronology' Geoscientist



Book Information
ISBN 9780195109207
Author Ian McDougall
Format Hardback
Page Count 288
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 712g
Dimensions(mm) 184mm * 261mm * 24mm