page_title: Detrital zircon geochronology
section_title: Origin
hierarchical_section_title: Detrital zircon geochronology / Detrital zircon / Origin
caption_attribution_description: English: This diagram illustrates the formation of igneous zircon, the processes of them becoming detrital zircons and the differences between igneous and detrital zircons
context_page_description: Detrital zircon geochronology is the science of analyzing the age of zircons deposited within a specific sedimentary unit by examining their inherent radioisotopes, most commonly the uranium–lead ratio. The chemical name of zircon is zirconium silicate and its corresponding chemical formula is Zr SiO₄. Zircon is a common accessory or trace mineral constituent of most granite and felsic igneous rocks. Due to its hardness, durability and chemical inertness, zircon persists in sedimentary deposits and is a common constituent of most sands. Zircons contain trace amounts of uranium and thorium and can be dated using several modern analytical techniques. It has become increasingly popular in geological studies from the 2000s mainly due to the advancement in radiometric dating techniques. Detrital zircon age data can be used to constrain the maximum depositional age, determine provenance, and reconstruct the tectonic setting on a regional scale.
context_section_description: Detrital zircons are part of the sediment derived from weathering and erosion of pre-existing rocks. Since zircons are heavy and highly resistant at Earth's surface, many zircons are transported, deposited and preserved as detrital zircon grains in sedimentary rocks. (See Figure 2, note that the diagram is used for concept illustration. Detrital zircon in reality can be products from all kind of rocks, not necessarily igneous rocks)
caption: Fig. 2 – Simple diagram illustrating the formation of igneous zircon, the processes of them becoming detrital zircons and the differences between igneous and detrital zircons
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