School of Geographical & Earth Sciences

The Earth System Dynamics Thermo- & Geochronology Research Facility specialises in the measurement and interpretation of thermochronologic, geochronologic, and cosmogenic isotope data to study interactions between climate, tectonics, biota, and Earth surface processes. These facilities and researchers are closely linked with researchers in the High-Performance Computing (HPC) facilities for data interpretation.

What we do

We employ a range of radiometric dating methods to study tectonic and surface processes.

Our key techniques include:

• Apatite and zircon (U-Th)/He dating – Measuring the temperature-dependent accumulation of helium and radioactive parent isotopes in minerals.
• Apatite and zircon fission-track dating – Examining uranium-238 fission tracks in mineral grains to study the rock’s thermal history based on the temperature-dependent annealing of these tracks.
• U-Pb dating – Using the uranium-to-lead decay series in minerals to date higher-temperature crystallisation and metamorphic processes.
• Cosmogenic radionuclides (¹⁰ᴮᵉ, ²⁶ᴬˡ, ³⁶ᶜˡ) sample preparation for understanding rates of Earth surface erosion and soil production.  Nuclide measurement is done in partnership with the Centre for the Isotope Sciences (SUERC), also at the University of Glasgow.

Facilities and equipment

Together with the Rock & Sediment Preparation and Microscopy & Imaging Research Facilities, our laboratory is fully equipped for all stages of sample preparation and analysis.

Key capabilities include:

• Alphachron He-line: high-vacuum helium extraction line and gas mass spectrometer
• RESOlution laser ablation system: enabling in situ helium and elemental analyses.
• Agilent 7900 Inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer: in situ and whole-grain elemental analysis (laser-ablation- and solution-based analyses).
• Wet chemistry laboratory with HF neutralising fume hoods for cosmogenic isotope sample preparation.

We also provide training and support for visitors in data acquisition, interpretation, and modelling.