Question

Describe the importance of zircon as an age-dating tool

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Zircon has large amount of Uranium and very restricted amount of lead. It is very essential in Uranium lead dating. The features which make it essential for U-Pb dating are as follows:

a) Zircon is very stable molecule and it is highly resistant to high temperature and pressure. Also it has the highest blocking temperature. It is chemically inert and is not affected by weathering

b) It has a special characteristics – if left at room temperature, radio dating can destroy its strong structure but when exposed to high temperature the radio dating becomes self-annealing.

Answer 2

Zircon is a zirconium silicate mineral which is ideal for use in age-dating. The importance of zircon as an age-dating tool include; its good hardness (which means makes it resistant to metamorphism, mechanical and chemical weathering), it is easy to chip, it undergoes radioactive decay and leads to damaged crystals, it is commonly found at many localities, and it has a very high lead versus uranium ratio which is used to determine the age of the rock.