SE10
The Changing Face of Asia and Oceania: High-Resolution Ion Microprobe Geochronology as a Tool in Understanding Crustal Evolution

Main Organiser
Prof Simon Wilde
Department of Applied Geology, Curtin University of Technology,
PO box U1987, Perth, Western Australia, 6845
wildes@lithos.curtin.edu.au

Co-Organiser(s)
Prof Dunyi Liu, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences
liudunyi@public.bta.net.cn

Prof Alfred Kroener, Institut fuer Geowissenschaften, Universitaet Mainz
kroener@mail.uni-mainz.de

Brief Description
The application of the Sensitive High Resolution Ion Microprobe (SHRIMP) to dating U-Pb minerals, especially zircon, has revolutionised the earth sciences over the past two decades. The ability to analyse individual sites down to a few microns in diameter has, in combination with cathodoluminescence (CL) and back-scattered electron (BSE) images, made the dating and interpretation of complex crystals possible. These data have commonly revealed a complexity of events previously unamenable to study and have led to considerable advances in our understanding of igneous and metamorphic processes and crustal evolution. We invite contributions from ion-microprobe and other high-precision geochronology laboratories on key aspects of the growth and evolution of the continents with particular reference to Asia and Oceania. We especially encourage presentations where the unique capabilities of the ion microprobe have enabled a complex series of events to be unravelled.