Evaluation of potential age standards for zircon (U-Th)/He thermochronometry; Results from further chronometric investigations

Fukuda, Shoma; Kohn, B. P.*; Sueoka, Shigeru; Danhara, Toru*; Iwano, Hideki*; Tagami, Takahiro*

Fisshion, Torakku Nyusureta, (35), p.7 - 10, 2022/12

In order to establish the age standard of zircon (U-Th)/He method, we performed zircon (U-Th)/He (hereinafter, ZHe) dating on 4 zircon samples. In this presentation, the Nohi rhyolite and the Mt. Wasso moonstone rhyolite as domestic samples, and Mt. Dromedary and OD-3 were also adopted as age standard zircons of fission-track and U-Pb methods. Consequently, regarding the ZHe age of the Nohi rhyolite indicated younger, which possibly reflected secondary heating, while ones of the others indicated consistent with previous thermochronometric data. Integrated with previously obtained ZHe data about 7 samples, the Utaosa rhyolite in the previous study showed a small age dispersion in grain ages, which infers a suitable candidate for the ZHe age standard. As future prospects, we are planning to conduct geochemical analyses and structure observations of these zircons for exploring the causal factors in age dispersions.

Estimation of thermal/denudation histories in the Tanigawa-dake area based on thermochronological methods

Minami, Saki*; Sueoka, Shigeru; Fukuda, Shoma; Nagata, Mitsuhiro; Kohn, B. P.*; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; Kagami, Saya; Kajita, Yuya*; Tagami, Takahiro*

Fisshion, Torakku Nyusureta, (35), p.22 - 26, 2022/12

no abstracts in English

Research plan on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of radioactive waste (Scientific program for fiscal year 2022)

Sasao, Eiji; Ishimaru, Tsuneari; Niwa, Masakazu; Shimada, Akiomi; Shimada, Koji; Watanabe, Takahiro; Sueoka, Shigeru; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; Fujita, Natsuko; Ogita, Yasuhiro; et al.

JAEA-Review 2022-022, 29 Pages, 2022/09

JAEA-Review-2022-022.pdf:0.97MB

This report is a plan of research and development (R&D) on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) in Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), in fiscal year 2022. The objectives and contents in fiscal year 2022 are described in detail based on the JAEA 4th Medium- and Long-term Plan (fiscal years 2022-2028). In addition, the background of this research is described from the necessity and the significance for site investigation and safety assessment, and the past progress. The plan framework is structured into the following categories: (1) Development and systematization of investigation techniques, (2) Development of models for long-term estimation and effective assessment, (3) Development of dating techniques

Low-temperature thermochronology of active arc-arc collision zone, South Fossa Magna region, central Japan

Sueoka, Shigeru; Kobayashi, Yumi*; Fukuda, Shoma; Kohn, B. P.*; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; Sano, Naomi*; Hasebe, Noriko*; Tamura, Akihiro*; Morishita, Tomoaki*; Tagami, Takahiro*

Tectonophysics, 828, p.229231_1 - 229231_17, 2022/04

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2022.229231

The South Fossa Magna zone, central Japan, has been an active collision zone between the Honshu Arc and the Izu-Bonin Arc since the middle Miocene and provides an excellent setting for reconstructing the earliest stages of continent formation. Multi-system geo-thermochronometry was applied to different domains of the South Fossa Magna zone, together with some previously published data, to reveal mountain formation processes, i.e., vertical crustal movements. Nine granitic samples yielded zircon U-Pb ages of 10.2-5.8 Ma ( = 2), apatite (U-Th)/He (AHe) ages of 42.8-2.6 Ma ( = 7), and apatite fission-track (AFT) ages of 44.1-3.0 Ma ( = 9). Thermal history inversion modeling based on the AHe and AFT data suggested rapid cooling events confined within the study region at 6-2 Ma. The Kanto Mountains may have undergone a domal uplift in association with their collision with the Tanzawa Block at 5 Ma. However, this uplift may have slowed down following the migration of the plate boundary and late Pliocene termination of the Tanzawa collision. The Minobu Mountains and possibly adjacent mountains may have been uplifted by the motional change of the Philippine Sea plate at 3 Ma. Therefore, the mountain formation in the South Fossa Magna zone was mainly controlled by collisions of the Tanzawa and Izu Blocks and motional change of the Philippine Sea plate. Earlier collisions of the Kushigatayama Block at 13 Ma and Misaka Block at 10 Ma appeared to have had little effect on mountain formation. Together with a 90 deg. clockwise rotation of the Kanto Mountains at 12-6 Ma, these observations suggest that horizontal deformation predominated during the earlier stage of arc-arc collision, and vertical movements due to buoyancy resulting from crustal shortening and thickening developed at a later stage.

Exploration of the age standard zircon for (U-Th)/He method; Chronometric investigations of the Nisatai Dacite

Fukuda, Shoma; Sueoka, Shigeru; Kanno, Mizuho; Kohn, B. P.*; Tagami, Takahiro*

Fisshion, Torakku Nyusureta, (34), p.9 - 13, 2021/12

In order to explore suitable zircon samples as standard minerals for the zircon (U-Th)/He (namely, ZHe) method, we have attempted to conduct ZHe analyses of the Nisatai dacite sampled in Iwate prefecture. Previous researches reported solid ages at 22-21 Ma and a rapid cooling pattern based on various geochronometric investigations, which inferred a potential of an age standard for ZHe method. Consequently, ZHe ages in this study yielded at 21.5 0.2 Ma having wide dispersion of grain ages from 40 Ma to 15 Ma, probably caused by random errors. As possible causes of age dispersion, the zoning of parent nuclei in a crystal and the heterogeneous rock pieces revealed by observations of thin-section are considerable. Therefore, the Nisatai dacite was concluded as unsuitable sample for the ZHe age standard. However, geochronologic data of other methods showed comparable ages such as zircon fission-track and U-Pb method, the Nisatai dacite may be used as these age standards. We will continue to explore another candidates for ZHe age standard, e.g., U-Pb age standards.

Estimation of intrusion ages in the Miocene-Pliocene granodiorite around the Tanigawa-dake based on zircon U-Pb dating

Minami, Saki*; Nagata, Mitsuhiro; Sueoka, Shigeru; Fukuda, Shoma; Kajita, Yuya*; Ogita, Yasuhiro; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; Kagami, Saya; Tagami, Takahiro*

Fisshion, Torakku Nyusureta, (34), p.4 - 8, 2021/12

This study employed U-Pb dating for determining the intrusive age of young (several Ma) granitoids in Tanigawa-dake area, where rapid and intense uplift/denudation has probably occurred in Japan. As results, U-Pb age of 109 Ma for the Cretaceous granodiorite and 3.95-3.19 Ma about 3 samples of the Pliocene granodiorites were obtained. These U-Pb ages showed consistent with previously reported ages based on thermochronometers having lower closure temperatures such as K-Ar or zircon fission-track methods. All previous data indicated younger ages than U-Pb ones in this study. Therefore, our U-Pb data can be interpreted as intrusive ages of young granitoids, inferring multiple events possibly occurred at least twice and contributed to the formation in young granitoids in the Tanigawa-dake area.

Annual report for research on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of radioactive waste in fiscal year 2020

Ishimaru, Tsuneari; Ogata, Nobuhisa; Kokubu, Yoko; Shimada, Koji; Niwa, Masakazu; Shimada, Akiomi; Watanabe, Takahiro; Sueoka, Shigeru; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; Fujita, Natsuko; et al.

JAEA-Research 2021-007, 65 Pages, 2021/10

JAEA-Research-2021-007.pdf:4.21MB

This annual report documents the progress of research and development (R&D) in the 6th fiscal year during the JAEA 3rd Mid- and Long-term Plan (fiscal years 2015-2021) to provide the scientific base for assessing geosphere stability for long-term isolation of the high-level radioactive waste. The planned framework is structured into the following categories: (1) Development and systematization of investigation techniques, (2) Development of models for long-term estimation and effective assessment, (3) Development of dating techniques. The current status of R&D activities with previous scientific and technological progress is summarized.

(U-Th)/He dating analysis at Tono Geoscience Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency; Determination of He contents (Contract research)

Kanno, Mizuho; Sueoka, Shigeru; Fukuda, Shoma

JAEA-Testing 2020-010, 38 Pages, 2021/03

JAEA-Testing-2020-010.pdf:3.07MB

This report provides procedures of He measurement for (U-Th)/He dating at Tono Geoscience Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency. (U-Th)/He method is a radiometric dating based on alpha decay of U and Th series isotopes, being utilized as a thermochronometer. (U-Th)/He thermochronometries on zircon and apatite are especially useful to estimate thermal history at low temperatures. The procedures are presented with the details, tips, and cautions because parts of the procedures can be carried out by beginners, including students and contractors. This report also includes some document formats helpful for conducting the procedures.

Izu-Bonin arc collision and mountain formation of the South Fossa Magna region; New insight from low-temperature thermochronometry

Kobayashi, Yumi*; Sueoka, Shigeru; Fukuda, Shoma; Hasebe, Noriko*; Tamura, Akihiro*; Morishita, Tomoaki*; Tagami, Takahiro*

Fisshion, Torakku Nyusureta, (33), p.25 - 27, 2020/10

no abstracts in English

Research plan on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of radioactive waste (Scientific program for fiscal year 2020)

Ishimaru, Tsuneari; Ogata, Nobuhisa; Shimada, Koji; Kokubu, Yoko; Niwa, Masakazu; Asamori, Koichi; Watanabe, Takahiro; Sueoka, Shigeru; Komatsu, Tetsuya; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; et al.

JAEA-Review 2020-010, 46 Pages, 2020/07

JAEA-Review-2020-010.pdf:1.89MB

This report is a plan of research and development (R&D) on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) in Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), in fiscal year 2020. The objectives and contents in fiscal year 2020 are described in detail based on the JAEA 3rd Medium- and Long-term Plan (fiscal years 2015-2021). In addition, the background of this research is described from the necessity and the significance for site investigation and safety assessment, and the past progress. The plan framework is structured into the following categories: (1) Development and systematization of investigation techniques, (2) Development of models for long-term estimation and effective assessment, (3) Development of dating techniques.