Master the principles and applications of low-temperature thermochronology through a comprehensive course covering both theoretical foundations and practical methodologies. Explore geochronology fundamentals, including radiometric dating and closure temperature concepts, before diving deep into (U-Th)/He and fission-track thermochronology techniques. Learn analytical procedures from crystal selection to data presentation, and understand how to apply these methods in real-world scenarios such as petroleum exploration, sediment basin analysis, and mountain exhumation studies. Gain hands-on experience with thermal history reconstruction, cooling history modeling using HeFTy program, and the analysis of sedimentary organic matter thermal parameters. Participate in live discussions and lectures while examining case studies from various geological settings, including the Ordos Basin and South China, to develop practical skills in tectonochronology and basin thermal history analysis.
Overview
Syllabus
- Chapter 1. Course Introduction
- Chapter 2. Low-temperature theromochronology - Introduction
- 2.1. Geochronology and radiometric dating
- 2.2. Closure temperature
- 2.3. Thermochronology basics
- Chapter 3. (U-Th)/He thermochronology: Theory background
- 3.1. Alpha decay and (U-Th)/He age calculation
- 3.2. Stopping distance and alpha ejection
- 3.3. Alpha ejection correction
- 3.4. Partial retention zone
- Chapter 4. (U-Th)/He thermochronology: Analytical techniques
- 4.1. Crystal selection
- 4.2. Crystal characterization
- 4.3. Crystal measurement and packing
- 4.4. Helium, uranium and thorium analysis
- 4.5. Data presentation and evaluation
- Chapter 5. Fission-track thermochronology: Theory background
- 5.1. Fission track formation
- 5.2. Fission-track age calculation
- 5.3. Track-length analysis
- 5.4. Fission-track annealing
- 5.5. Presentation and modelling of fission-track data
- Chapter 6. Fission-track dating - methodology
- 6.1. Experimental Strategies for fission-track
- 6.2. Sample preparation
- 6.3. External Detector Method
- 6.4. LA-ICP-MS Method
- Chapter 7. Applications of the Low-temperature thermochronology as tectonochronology?
- Chapter 8. Application Case 1: Petroleum Exploration
- 8.1. Petroleum generation and paleotemperature
- 8.2. Paleotemperature evolutionary history of source rocks in the Ordos Basin
- 8.3. Meso-Cenozoic cooling history of the Weibei Uplift, Ordos Basin
- Chapter 9. Application Case 2：thermal history reconstruction of sediment basins
- 9.1. Multi-chronological dating approach
- 9.2. Time-temperature history reconstruction
- 9.3 Case Study: South China
- Chapter 10. Application Case 3: Cooling history modeling and exhumation of mountains
- 10.1. Inverse modeling of AFT data using HeFTy program
- 10.2. Post Late-Jurassic cooling history of mountains in the southwestern Ordos Basin
- Chapter 11. Thermal Parameters of Sedimentary Organic Matter
- 11.1. What is the sedimentary organic matter?
- 11.2. Thermal parameters of organic matter
- 11.3. Applications of thermal parameters to study basin thermal history
- Test
- Some good materials
- Let's talk!
- Live discussion
- Live lecture - Review
Taught by
Ni TAO, Huiping ZHANG, Rongxi LI, Xingke Yang, Qiang YU, and Lili XU
