Working towards a robust thermochronometer based on the ESR of quartz minerals

King, G.*; Bartz, M.*; Bossin, L.*; Wen, X.*; Tsukamoto, Sumiko*; Herman, F.*; Ogata, Manabu ; Sueoka, Shigeru   

Electron spin resonance dating of quartz minerals offers a significant advantage over luminescence dating because of its later signal saturation. We are seeking to exploit this to build upon earlier studies in the development of a thermochronometry system capable of resolving rock cooling rates throughout the Quaternary. In order to determine a rock cooling history, it is necessary to constrain both signal accumulation and signal thermal loss robustly within the laboratory. We have collated a series of geological samples including rocks from boreholes that have known isothermal histories to investigate the potential of this technique. Our objective is to use the latter rocks to confirm the validity of our laboratory measurements and data-fitting/numerical models. Specifically, we have investigated known-thermal history samples from the MIZ1 borehole (Japan) and the KTB borehole (Germany). Preliminary data reveal that the ESR dose response and thermal decay of different quartz samples is highly variable.