USGS Home
Contact USGS
Search USGS

Radiogenic Isotope Laboratory - Denver

Radioactive Isotopes: Sm-Nd System

Samarium and Neodymium are rare elements that are widely distributed in common minerals and rocks, but usually have low concentrations. The Sm-Nd system is capable of being used both for geochronology and as a tracer of geologic processes.

Geochronology

Examples of Applications:

• determine emplacement ages of igneous rocks of all compositions
• dating of diagenesis of shales

Nd, Sm -isotope tracers

Examples of Applications:

• eolian studies - origin of windblown dust, aerosol particles
• petrogenetic studies of igneous rocks
• delineation and origin of tectonostratigraphic terranes
• sources of metals in ore deposits
• provenance of sediments
• forensic analysis, e.g. blood chemistry, etc.
sequence boundaries and subaerial exposures in ancient soils oceanographic circulation

Information About:

U-Th-Pb

Rb-Sr

More About the Radiogenic Isotope Laboratory

Radiogenic Isotope Laboratory Introduction

Radiogenic Isotopes

Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Equipment

Current and Past Projects

Publications

Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices

U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://esp.cr.usgs.gov/info/isotope_geochron_lab/isotopessmnd.html
Page Contact Information: ESP Web Team
Page Last Modified: Tue 14-Feb-2006 13:03:36 MST