Thermochronology and Tectonics

Obectives:
Thermochronological dating techniques, such as fission-track and (U-Th)/He dating, provide important temperature-time data to resolve thermal and uplift/exhumation histories of orogens, passive continental margins and sedimentary basins. UiB has the only thermochronology laboratory in Norway. The main course objective is to train graduate student in broad aspects of thermochronology, specifically in fission-track analysis, and to prepare them to conduct an individual MSc or PhD project in this field.

Contents:
The course covers theoretical aspects of fission-track and (U-Th)/He dating, practical aspects including sampling strategies, mineral separation and preparation, comprehensive analytical aspects as well as approaches for thermal history modelling and the interpretation of thermochronological data. The course is accompanied by a seminar series, in which course participant study and present thermochronological case studies, such as from Antarctica, the Andes, the Apennines, the Canadian Shield, the North Sea and Scandinavia, and others.

Knowledge
The student

• Know a range of thermochronological case studies from across the planet
• Have a broad theoretical background in thermochronological techniques
• Have a basic understanding of how to plan and design a thermochronological project

Ferdigheter
The student

• Are able to separate suitable minerals from rock samples and can prepare these for thermochronological analysis
• Can conduct apatite fission-track analysis, track length measurement and Dpar measurement
• Can conduct simple thermal history models from a variety of thermochronological data
• Can interpret thermochronological data within a tectonic framework

General kompetanse
The student

• Can communicate aspects of thermochronology and tectonics to a broad geoscience community
• Have a basic understanding of data quality and uncertainty