Advances in Fission-Track Geochronology

Since 1980, progress in research on the fission-track dating method and its applications to earth and related sciences has been evaluated during an International Workshop that takes place every four years. This volume contains a selection of papers presented at the International Workshop held in Gent (Belgium) from 26 to 30 August, 1996. Primarily the articles will be of interest to the active fission-track scientists but the combination of research papers and critical reviews that is presented may also provide the interested non-specialist reader with a valuable insight into the fission-track dating method and its role in the earth sciences.
This reader will undoubtedly note the evolution that the method has undergone during the last fifteen years, from a technique that was debated in most of its facets to an established chronometric tool with unique qualities in geothermochronology.

Preface. Section I: Track Fundamentals, Dating Methodology and Age Calibration. High-Resolution Microscopy of Latent Tracks Induced by High-Energy Heavy Ions; J. Vetter, et a. Zeta: The Ultimate Solution to Fission-Track Analysis Calibration or Just an Interim Measure? A.J. Hurford. The Parameters that Govern the Accuracy of Fission-Track Age Determinations: A Re-Appraisal; P. Van den haute, et al. A Re-Investigation of the Geometry Factors for Fission-Track Dating of Apatite, Sphene and Zircon; H. Iwano, T. Danhara. A New U Doped Glass Certified by the European Commission for the Calibration of Fission-Track Dating; F. De Corte, et al. Section II: Track Annealing. Uranium-235 Fission Track Annealing in Minerals of the Apatite Group: An Experimental Study; J. Carpéna. Mathematical Convection Methodology Using Bertagnolli and Laslett Fission Track Annealing Laws; H. Igli, et al. Revised Annealing Kinetics of Fission Tracks in Zircon and Geological Implications; T. Tagami, et al. Section III: Thermochronology. Divining Burial and Thermal Histories from Indicator Data: Application & Limitations; M.R. Giles, S.L. Indrelid. Apatite Fission Track Thermochronology of Paleozoic Sandstones and the Hill-Intrusion, Northern Linksrheinisches Schiefergebirge, Germany; U. Glasmacher, et al. Evidence for the Unroofing History of Hercynian Granitoids in Central Portugal Derived from Late Palaeozoic and Mesozoic Sedimentary Zircons; A.J.S.C. Pereira, et al. Apatite Fission-Track Thermochronology of the Uppermost Tectonic Unit of Crete, Greece: Implications for the Post-Eocene Tectonic Evolution of the Hellenic Subduction System; S.N. Thomson, et al. Post-Orogenic Cooling History of Eastern South Australia from Apatite FT Thermochronology; M.M. Mitchell, et al. Cooling and Denudation History of Western Marie Byrd Land, Antarctica, Based on Apatite Fission-Tracks; F. Lisker, M. Olesch. Multiple Thermal Evolution of Oates Land (Northern Victoria Land, Antarctica): Evidence from Apatite Fission Track Analysis; P.B. O'Sullivan, R.W. Brown. Geomorphic Factors in the Interpretation of Fission-Track Data; M.A. Summerfield, R.W. Brown. Section IV: Glass Studies. Potential Glass Age Standards for Fission-Track Dating: An Overview; M.L. Balestrieri, et al. Age Determination of Obsidian Source Samples from North Queensland and New South Wales, Australia; R. Bonetti, et al. Fission Track Dating and Provenience of Archaeological Obsidian Artefacts in Colombia and Ecuador; O. Dorighel, et al. Technical Note: A Better Way to Separate Apatite from Zircon Using Constriction Tubes; T.A. Dumitru, D.F. Stockli. Author Index.