Dating young molybdenites: a primer

摘要

The analytical difficulties inherent in determining the age of young molybdenites are overcome by using an isotopic tracer composed of two osmium isotopes. In this way, it is possible to determine the amount of radiogenic ~(187)Os as well as the amount of common Os in the sample, while simultaneously correcting for instrumental mass fractionation. With this technique, it is possible to obtain uncertainties on the age that are on the order of thousands of years for samples less than 10 million years old, a level of precision that will provide fine detail on the timing and duration of the ore-forming process.