New approaches in fission track geochronology as a tectonic tool: Examples from the transantarctic mountains
Paul G. Fitzgerald, Andrew J.W. Gleadow
Apatite fission track analysis has been applied to study the uplift history and tectonics of the Transantarctic Mountains (TAM). An uplifted fossil apatite annealing zone has been identified in the apatite age vs elevation profile and is confirmed by track length data. A "break in slope" in the apatite age profile marks the base of the uplifted partial annealing zone and approximates the time of initiation of uplift of the mountains. Samples below the "break in slope" give information on the rate(s) of uplift. Samples above the break have apatite ages that vary significantly with elevation, but the gradient is not equal to an apparent uolift rate. Rather, it is due to inherited characteristics from the pre-existing partial annealing zone. These samples above the "break in slope" can be used as indicators of paleo-depth in the pre-uplift crust to determine the structure of an area and the displacement across faults. Mountain ranges adjacent to extensional tectonic regimes most likely represent the classical area for finding uplifted partial annealing zones because stable thermo-tectonic conditions needed to establish the distinctive shape of an apatite annealing zone prior to uplift are often present, and the amount of uplift is such that the annealing zone is likely to be preserved in the rock column.
International Journal of Radiation Applications and Instrumentation. Part
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geochronology Physics & Astronomy 100%
tectonics Physics & Astronomy 87%
apatites Physics & Astronomy 72%
mountains Physics & Astronomy 72%
fission Physics & Astronomy 51%
annealing Physics & Astronomy 33%
slopes Physics & Astronomy 20%
fossils Physics & Astronomy 12%
Fitzgerald, P. G., & Gleadow, A. J. W. (1990). New approaches in fission track geochronology as a tectonic tool: Examples from the transantarctic mountains. International Journal of Radiation Applications and Instrumentation. Part, 17(3), 351-357. https://doi.org/10.1016/1359-0189(90)90057-5
New approaches in fission track geochronology as a tectonic tool : Examples from the transantarctic mountains. / Fitzgerald, Paul G.; Gleadow, Andrew J.W.
In: International Journal of Radiation Applications and Instrumentation. Part, Vol. 17, No. 3, 1990, p. 351-357.
Fitzgerald, PG & Gleadow, AJW 1990, 'New approaches in fission track geochronology as a tectonic tool: Examples from the transantarctic mountains', International Journal of Radiation Applications and Instrumentation. Part, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 351-357. https://doi.org/10.1016/1359-0189(90)90057-5
Fitzgerald PG, Gleadow AJW. New approaches in fission track geochronology as a tectonic tool: Examples from the transantarctic mountains. International Journal of Radiation Applications and Instrumentation. Part. 1990;17(3):351-357. doi: 10.1016/1359-0189(90)90057-5
Fitzgerald, Paul G. ; Gleadow, Andrew J.W. / New approaches in fission track geochronology as a tectonic tool : Examples from the transantarctic mountains. In: International Journal of Radiation Applications and Instrumentation. Part. 1990 ; Vol. 17, No. 3. pp. 351-357.
@article{cee69270eca44da3b31877a6b418834e,
title = "New approaches in fission track geochronology as a tectonic tool: Examples from the transantarctic mountains",
abstract = "Apatite fission track analysis has been applied to study the uplift history and tectonics of the Transantarctic Mountains (TAM). An uplifted fossil apatite annealing zone has been identified in the apatite age vs elevation profile and is confirmed by track length data. A {"}break in slope{"} in the apatite age profile marks the base of the uplifted partial annealing zone and approximates the time of initiation of uplift of the mountains. Samples below the {"}break in slope{"} give information on the rate(s) of uplift. Samples above the break have apatite ages that vary significantly with elevation, but the gradient is not equal to an apparent uolift rate. Rather, it is due to inherited characteristics from the pre-existing partial annealing zone. These samples above the {"}break in slope{"} can be used as indicators of paleo-depth in the pre-uplift crust to determine the structure of an area and the displacement across faults. Mountain ranges adjacent to extensional tectonic regimes most likely represent the classical area for finding uplifted partial annealing zones because stable thermo-tectonic conditions needed to establish the distinctive shape of an apatite annealing zone prior to uplift are often present, and the amount of uplift is such that the annealing zone is likely to be preserved in the rock column.",
author = "Fitzgerald, {Paul G.} and Gleadow, {Andrew J.W.}",
note = "Funding Information: Acknowledgements--This project has been carried out with support from the Australian Research Council and the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering. The field work was done through the Antarctic Research Centre at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand and the subsequent fission track analyses were carried out at the Geology Department, University of Melbourne. Discussions with colleagues Ian Duddy and Paul Green greatly assisted the initial development of ideas presented in this paper. Support for Fitzgerald is now from National Science Foundation Grant DPP 86-12938.",
journal = "Radiation Physics and Chemistry",
T1 - New approaches in fission track geochronology as a tectonic tool
T2 - Examples from the transantarctic mountains
AU - Fitzgerald, Paul G.
AU - Gleadow, Andrew J.W.
N1 - Funding Information: Acknowledgements--This project has been carried out with support from the Australian Research Council and the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering. The field work was done through the Antarctic Research Centre at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand and the subsequent fission track analyses were carried out at the Geology Department, University of Melbourne. Discussions with colleagues Ian Duddy and Paul Green greatly assisted the initial development of ideas presented in this paper. Support for Fitzgerald is now from National Science Foundation Grant DPP 86-12938.
N2 - Apatite fission track analysis has been applied to study the uplift history and tectonics of the Transantarctic Mountains (TAM). An uplifted fossil apatite annealing zone has been identified in the apatite age vs elevation profile and is confirmed by track length data. A "break in slope" in the apatite age profile marks the base of the uplifted partial annealing zone and approximates the time of initiation of uplift of the mountains. Samples below the "break in slope" give information on the rate(s) of uplift. Samples above the break have apatite ages that vary significantly with elevation, but the gradient is not equal to an apparent uolift rate. Rather, it is due to inherited characteristics from the pre-existing partial annealing zone. These samples above the "break in slope" can be used as indicators of paleo-depth in the pre-uplift crust to determine the structure of an area and the displacement across faults. Mountain ranges adjacent to extensional tectonic regimes most likely represent the classical area for finding uplifted partial annealing zones because stable thermo-tectonic conditions needed to establish the distinctive shape of an apatite annealing zone prior to uplift are often present, and the amount of uplift is such that the annealing zone is likely to be preserved in the rock column.
AB - Apatite fission track analysis has been applied to study the uplift history and tectonics of the Transantarctic Mountains (TAM). An uplifted fossil apatite annealing zone has been identified in the apatite age vs elevation profile and is confirmed by track length data. A "break in slope" in the apatite age profile marks the base of the uplifted partial annealing zone and approximates the time of initiation of uplift of the mountains. Samples below the "break in slope" give information on the rate(s) of uplift. Samples above the break have apatite ages that vary significantly with elevation, but the gradient is not equal to an apparent uolift rate. Rather, it is due to inherited characteristics from the pre-existing partial annealing zone. These samples above the "break in slope" can be used as indicators of paleo-depth in the pre-uplift crust to determine the structure of an area and the displacement across faults. Mountain ranges adjacent to extensional tectonic regimes most likely represent the classical area for finding uplifted partial annealing zones because stable thermo-tectonic conditions needed to establish the distinctive shape of an apatite annealing zone prior to uplift are often present, and the amount of uplift is such that the annealing zone is likely to be preserved in the rock column.
JO - Radiation Physics and Chemistry
JF - Radiation Physics and Chemistry