The method of obtaining zircon samples affects estimation of the global U-Pb age distribution.Researchers typically collect zircons via convenience sampling and cluster sampling.When using these techniques,weight adju...The method of obtaining zircon samples affects estimation of the global U-Pb age distribution.Researchers typically collect zircons via convenience sampling and cluster sampling.When using these techniques,weight adjustments proportional to the areas of the sampled regions improve upon unweighted estimates.Here,grid-area and modern sediment methods are used to weight the samples from a new database of 418,967 U-Pb ages.Preliminary tests involve two age models.Model-1 uses the most precise U-Pb ages as the best ages.Model-2 uses the^(206)Pb/^(238)U age as the best age if it is less than a1000 Ma cutoff,otherwise it uses the^(207)Pb/^(206)Pb age as the best age.A correlation analysis between the Model-1 and Model-2 ages indicates nearly identical distributions for both models.However,after applying acceptance criteria to include only the most precise analyses with minimal discordance,a histogram of the rejected samples shows excessive rejection of the Model-2 analyses around the1000 Ma cutoff point.Because of the excessive rejection rate for Model-2,we select Model-1 as the preferred model.After eliminating all rejected samples,the remaining analyses use only Model-1 ages for five rock-type subsets of the database:igneous,meta-igneous,sedimentary,meta-sedimentary,and modern sediments.Next,time-series plots,cross-correlation analyses,and spectral analyses determine the degree of alignment among the time-series and their periodicity.For all rock types,the U-Pb age distributions are similar for ages older than 500 Ma,but align poorly for ages younger than 500 Ma.The similarities(>500 Ma)and differences(<500 Ma)highlight how reductionism from a detailed database enhances understanding of time-dependent sequences,such as erosion,detrital transport mechanisms,lithification,and metamorphism.Time-series analyses and spectral analyses of the age distributions predominantly indicate a synchronous period-tripling sequence of^91-Myr,~273-Myr,and^819-Myr among the various rock types.展开更多
In this study,seven isotopic databases are presented and analyzed to identify mantle and crustal episodes on a global scale by focusing on periodicity ranging from 70 to 200 million years(Myr).The databases are the la...In this study,seven isotopic databases are presented and analyzed to identify mantle and crustal episodes on a global scale by focusing on periodicity ranging from 70 to 200 million years(Myr).The databases are the largest,or among the largest,compiled for each type of data-with an objective of finding some samples from every region of every continent,to make each database as global as conceivably possible.The databases contain zircon Lu/Hf isotopic data,whole-rock Sm/Nd isotopic data,U/Pb detrital zircon ages,U/Pb igneous zircon ages,U/Pb non-zircon ages,whole-rock Re/Os isotopic data,and large igneous province ages.Part I of this study focuses on the periodicities of age histograms and geochemical averages developed from the seven databases,via spectral and cross-correlation analyses.Natural physical cycles often propagate in exact integer multiples of a fundamental cycle,referred to as harmonics.The tests show that harmonic geological cycles of^93.5 and^187 Myr have persisted throughout terrestrial history,and the cyclicities are statistically significant for U/Pb igneous zircon ages,U/Pb detrital zircon ages,U/Pb zircon-rim ages,large igneous province ages,meanεHf(t)for all samples,meanεHf(t)values for igneous-only samples,and relative abundance of mafic rocks.Equally important,cross-correlation analyses show these seven time-series are nearly synchronous(±7 Myr)with a model consisting of periodicities of 93.5 and 187 Myr.Additionally,the similarities between peaks in the 93.5 and 187 Myr mantle cycles and terminal ages of established and suspected superchrons provide a framework for predicting and testing superchron periodicity.展开更多
Enhanced understanding of how sampling techniques affect estimates of the global U-Pb age-distribution have, in turn, constrained U-Pb database design. Recent studies indicate that each continent has a unique age-dist...Enhanced understanding of how sampling techniques affect estimates of the global U-Pb age-distribution have, in turn, constrained U-Pb database design. Recent studies indicate that each continent has a unique age-distribution, as determined by zircon ages dated by the U-Pb isotope method. Likewise, broad regions within a continent also exhibit diverse age-distributions. To achieve a reliable estimate of the global distribution, the heterogenous composition of the continental crust requires sampling as many regions as feasibly possible. To attain this goal, and to provide a method for calculating age histograms, the records from a recent global U-Pb compilation are supplemented with 281,631 new records. These additions increase the database size to 700,598 records. In addition, the data are now restructured and made available as a relational database. After filtering the records by the six age-models included with the database, the results reveal two problems that might generally be unrecognized. First, an abrupt switch in the best-age at any given point(such as 1000 Ma) from ^(206)Pb/^(238)U ages to ^(207)Pb/^(206)Pb ages artificially depresses the age-distribution at the cutoff point. Second, rejecting analyses based on either absolute discordance or the magnitude of 2σ precision errors artificially depresses the age-distribution between 900 Ma and 2000 Ma. The results indicate that, when estimating the global U-Pb age-distribution, the methods for determining best-age and for rejecting records both require some attention. Possible solutions include using either an Accuracy Model or a Precision Model for estimating best-age, and then including all U-Pb records in the estimate, rather than rejecting any of them.展开更多
Igneous and detrital zircons have six major U/Pb isotopic age peaks in common(2700 Ma,1875 Ma.1045 Ma,625 Ma,265 Ma and 90 Ma).For igneous rocks,each age peak is comprised of subpeaks with distinct geographic distribu...Igneous and detrital zircons have six major U/Pb isotopic age peaks in common(2700 Ma,1875 Ma.1045 Ma,625 Ma,265 Ma and 90 Ma).For igneous rocks,each age peak is comprised of subpeaks with distinct geographic distributions and a subpeak age range per age peak≤100 Myr.There are eight major LIP age peaks(found on≥10 crustal provinces)of which only four are in common to major detrital zircon age peaks(2715 Ma,1875 Ma,825 Ma,90 Ma).Of the whole-rock Re depletion ages,58%have correspo nding detrital zircon age peaks and 55%have corresponding LIP age peaks.Ten age pea ks are fou nd in common to igneous zircon,detrital zircon,LIP,and Re depletion age time series(3225 Ma,2875 Ma,2145 Ma,2085 Ma,1985 Ma,1785 Ma,1455 Ma,1175 Ma,825 Ma,and 90 Ma).and these are very robust peaks on a global scale as recorded in both crustal and mantle rocks.About 50%of the age peaks in each of these time series correspond to predicted peaks in a 94-Myr mantle cycle,including four of the ten peaks in common to all four time series(2875 Ma,1785 Ma,825 Ma and 90 Ma).Age peak widths and subpeak ranges per age peak suggest that mantle events responsible for age peaks are<100 Myr and many<50 Myr in duration.Age peak geographic distributions show three populations(≤1000 Ma,2500-1000 Ma,>2500 Ma),with the number of new provinces in which age peaks are represented decreasing with time within each population.The breaks between the populations(at 2.5 Ga and 1 Ga)fall near the onsets of two transitions in Earth history.The First Transition may represent a change from stagnant-lid tectonics into plate tectonics and the Second Transition,the onset of subduction of continental crust.The major factor controlling geographic distribution of age peaks is the changing locations of orogeny.Before^2 Ga,age subpeaks and peaks are housed in orogens within or around the edges of crustal provinces,mostly in accretionary orogens.but beginning at 1.9 Ga,collisional orogens become more important.The coincidence in duration between magmatic flare-ups in Phanerozoic arcs and duration of age subpeaks(10-30 Myr)is consiste nt with subpeaks representing periods of enhanced arcrelated magmatism.probably caused by increased subduction flux.The correlation of isotopic age peaks between time series supports a cause and effect relationship between mantle plume activity,continental magma production at convergent margins,and crustal deformation.Correlation of over half of the detrital zircon age peaks(and six of the nine major peaks)with Re depletion age peaks supports an interpretation of the zircon peaks as crustal growth rather than selective preservation peaks.展开更多
文摘The method of obtaining zircon samples affects estimation of the global U-Pb age distribution.Researchers typically collect zircons via convenience sampling and cluster sampling.When using these techniques,weight adjustments proportional to the areas of the sampled regions improve upon unweighted estimates.Here,grid-area and modern sediment methods are used to weight the samples from a new database of 418,967 U-Pb ages.Preliminary tests involve two age models.Model-1 uses the most precise U-Pb ages as the best ages.Model-2 uses the^(206)Pb/^(238)U age as the best age if it is less than a1000 Ma cutoff,otherwise it uses the^(207)Pb/^(206)Pb age as the best age.A correlation analysis between the Model-1 and Model-2 ages indicates nearly identical distributions for both models.However,after applying acceptance criteria to include only the most precise analyses with minimal discordance,a histogram of the rejected samples shows excessive rejection of the Model-2 analyses around the1000 Ma cutoff point.Because of the excessive rejection rate for Model-2,we select Model-1 as the preferred model.After eliminating all rejected samples,the remaining analyses use only Model-1 ages for five rock-type subsets of the database:igneous,meta-igneous,sedimentary,meta-sedimentary,and modern sediments.Next,time-series plots,cross-correlation analyses,and spectral analyses determine the degree of alignment among the time-series and their periodicity.For all rock types,the U-Pb age distributions are similar for ages older than 500 Ma,but align poorly for ages younger than 500 Ma.The similarities(>500 Ma)and differences(<500 Ma)highlight how reductionism from a detailed database enhances understanding of time-dependent sequences,such as erosion,detrital transport mechanisms,lithification,and metamorphism.Time-series analyses and spectral analyses of the age distributions predominantly indicate a synchronous period-tripling sequence of^91-Myr,~273-Myr,and^819-Myr among the various rock types.
文摘In this study,seven isotopic databases are presented and analyzed to identify mantle and crustal episodes on a global scale by focusing on periodicity ranging from 70 to 200 million years(Myr).The databases are the largest,or among the largest,compiled for each type of data-with an objective of finding some samples from every region of every continent,to make each database as global as conceivably possible.The databases contain zircon Lu/Hf isotopic data,whole-rock Sm/Nd isotopic data,U/Pb detrital zircon ages,U/Pb igneous zircon ages,U/Pb non-zircon ages,whole-rock Re/Os isotopic data,and large igneous province ages.Part I of this study focuses on the periodicities of age histograms and geochemical averages developed from the seven databases,via spectral and cross-correlation analyses.Natural physical cycles often propagate in exact integer multiples of a fundamental cycle,referred to as harmonics.The tests show that harmonic geological cycles of^93.5 and^187 Myr have persisted throughout terrestrial history,and the cyclicities are statistically significant for U/Pb igneous zircon ages,U/Pb detrital zircon ages,U/Pb zircon-rim ages,large igneous province ages,meanεHf(t)for all samples,meanεHf(t)values for igneous-only samples,and relative abundance of mafic rocks.Equally important,cross-correlation analyses show these seven time-series are nearly synchronous(±7 Myr)with a model consisting of periodicities of 93.5 and 187 Myr.Additionally,the similarities between peaks in the 93.5 and 187 Myr mantle cycles and terminal ages of established and suspected superchrons provide a framework for predicting and testing superchron periodicity.
文摘Enhanced understanding of how sampling techniques affect estimates of the global U-Pb age-distribution have, in turn, constrained U-Pb database design. Recent studies indicate that each continent has a unique age-distribution, as determined by zircon ages dated by the U-Pb isotope method. Likewise, broad regions within a continent also exhibit diverse age-distributions. To achieve a reliable estimate of the global distribution, the heterogenous composition of the continental crust requires sampling as many regions as feasibly possible. To attain this goal, and to provide a method for calculating age histograms, the records from a recent global U-Pb compilation are supplemented with 281,631 new records. These additions increase the database size to 700,598 records. In addition, the data are now restructured and made available as a relational database. After filtering the records by the six age-models included with the database, the results reveal two problems that might generally be unrecognized. First, an abrupt switch in the best-age at any given point(such as 1000 Ma) from ^(206)Pb/^(238)U ages to ^(207)Pb/^(206)Pb ages artificially depresses the age-distribution at the cutoff point. Second, rejecting analyses based on either absolute discordance or the magnitude of 2σ precision errors artificially depresses the age-distribution between 900 Ma and 2000 Ma. The results indicate that, when estimating the global U-Pb age-distribution, the methods for determining best-age and for rejecting records both require some attention. Possible solutions include using either an Accuracy Model or a Precision Model for estimating best-age, and then including all U-Pb records in the estimate, rather than rejecting any of them.
文摘Igneous and detrital zircons have six major U/Pb isotopic age peaks in common(2700 Ma,1875 Ma.1045 Ma,625 Ma,265 Ma and 90 Ma).For igneous rocks,each age peak is comprised of subpeaks with distinct geographic distributions and a subpeak age range per age peak≤100 Myr.There are eight major LIP age peaks(found on≥10 crustal provinces)of which only four are in common to major detrital zircon age peaks(2715 Ma,1875 Ma,825 Ma,90 Ma).Of the whole-rock Re depletion ages,58%have correspo nding detrital zircon age peaks and 55%have corresponding LIP age peaks.Ten age pea ks are fou nd in common to igneous zircon,detrital zircon,LIP,and Re depletion age time series(3225 Ma,2875 Ma,2145 Ma,2085 Ma,1985 Ma,1785 Ma,1455 Ma,1175 Ma,825 Ma,and 90 Ma).and these are very robust peaks on a global scale as recorded in both crustal and mantle rocks.About 50%of the age peaks in each of these time series correspond to predicted peaks in a 94-Myr mantle cycle,including four of the ten peaks in common to all four time series(2875 Ma,1785 Ma,825 Ma and 90 Ma).Age peak widths and subpeak ranges per age peak suggest that mantle events responsible for age peaks are<100 Myr and many<50 Myr in duration.Age peak geographic distributions show three populations(≤1000 Ma,2500-1000 Ma,>2500 Ma),with the number of new provinces in which age peaks are represented decreasing with time within each population.The breaks between the populations(at 2.5 Ga and 1 Ga)fall near the onsets of two transitions in Earth history.The First Transition may represent a change from stagnant-lid tectonics into plate tectonics and the Second Transition,the onset of subduction of continental crust.The major factor controlling geographic distribution of age peaks is the changing locations of orogeny.Before^2 Ga,age subpeaks and peaks are housed in orogens within or around the edges of crustal provinces,mostly in accretionary orogens.but beginning at 1.9 Ga,collisional orogens become more important.The coincidence in duration between magmatic flare-ups in Phanerozoic arcs and duration of age subpeaks(10-30 Myr)is consiste nt with subpeaks representing periods of enhanced arcrelated magmatism.probably caused by increased subduction flux.The correlation of isotopic age peaks between time series supports a cause and effect relationship between mantle plume activity,continental magma production at convergent margins,and crustal deformation.Correlation of over half of the detrital zircon age peaks(and six of the nine major peaks)with Re depletion age peaks supports an interpretation of the zircon peaks as crustal growth rather than selective preservation peaks.
