Work

Study on the (U–Th)/He dating method verified by testing multiple types of single-grain standards

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: With the rapid advancement of low-temperature thermochronology, the (U–Th)/He dating technique has become indispensable for reconstructing shallow crustal thermal histories. A key obstacle to the broader application of (U–Th)/He thermochronology is the limited availability of thoroughly validated analytical protocols that demonstrate a laboratory's ability to produce internationally comparable data. This work overcomes this obstacle by establishing and rigorously validating a complete analytical workflow for single-grain apatite and zircon (U–Th)/He dating through long-term (>1 year) replicated analysis of four diverse international reference materials, encompassing both apatite (Durango, MK) and zircon (Fish Canyon Tuff, Penglai) standards with distinct ages and chemical characteristics. The derived weighted mean ages (Durango: 31.22 ± 0.35 Ma; MK: 18.95 ± 0.35 Ma; FCT: 27.91 ± 0.44 Ma; Penglai: 4.29 ± 0.11 Ma) are statistically indistinguishable from their globally accepted reference values. This multi-standard calibration confirms the exceptional accuracy and long-term reproducibility of our protocols and demonstrates their robustness across different mineral types and age ranges. By providing a transparent, thoroughly validated methodological framework and establishing direct comparability with international standards, this work transitions our laboratory into a certified source of high-fidelity (U–Th)/He data. It thereby lowers the technical barrier for high-quality thermochronology within the region and provides a solid foundation for resolving nuanced shallow crustal thermal histories in future tectonic studies.

Source: Solid Earth Sciences

DOI: 10.1016/j.sesci.2026.100308