International PRODUCTS + MARKETS + SERVICE / SUPPORT + LEARNING ZONE + COMPANY / NEWS + CONTACT + Geosciences Quantitative analysis of pyroxene (EPMA) Study of melt inclusions from tephra (EPMA) Rare Earth Element analyses (SIMS) Stable isotopes: Carbon (LG-SIMS) Stable isotopes: Magnesium (LG SIMS) Geochronology - Confirming the existence of an Ancient ‘lost continent’ (LG-SIMS) U-Pb geochronology in zircon (LG-SIMS) Monazite geochronology (EPMA) Vulcanology: cooling and cold storage in magma (NanoSIMS) Biogeochemistry: analysis of extracellular biomineralization (NanoSIMS) Geochronology - Confirming the existence of an Ancient ‘lost continent’ (LG-SIMS) The Mauritius island is of young volcanic origin with the oldest rocks believed to be around 9 Ma old. SIMS U-Th-Pb age determination of zircon grains extracted from a volcanic rock on Mauritius revealed that these zircons are around 3 Ga old‚ far too old to belong to the island of Mauritius. Scientists have confirmed the existence of a “lost continent” beneath modern-day Mauritius that was left-over by the break-up of the supercontinent, Gondwana, which started about 200 million years ago. Zircon minerals contains a rich record of geological processes and are one of the most useful geochronometers. Zircon can be dated extremely accurately and at local scale using ultra-high sensitivity SIMS. In this study, the break-up process of the continents could be studied using SIMS in order to better understand the geological history of our planet. The IMS 1300-HR³ large-geometry ion microprobe provides benchmark sensitivity for in-situ isotopic analysis at high spatial resolution. It covers a wide range of geochronological applications, from precise age determination of zircon to dating of other U-rich minerals. It also offers high analytical flexibility allowing the development of innovative analytical protocols for mineral dating (ion imaging, depth profiling, …). Data collected on IMS 1280-HR in GFZ Potsdam (Germany). From: L. D. Ashwal, M. Wiedenbeck & T. H. Torsvik, NATURE Communications 8:14086 (2017). PRODUCTS SIMS APT EPMA MARKETS Geosciences Environmental Science Mining Metals Advanced materials Energy materials Nuclear Semiconductor Life science SERVICE / SUPPORT Service Solutions Training Upgrades and Accessories Relocation Services Software Get technical support AMECARE COMPANY / NEWS About us News and Events Careers Links CONTACT Your way to CAMECA International distributors Contact Us Sign up for the newsletter SOCIAL NETWORK ametek.com atomprobe.com Legal Site Map Privacy Policy Unsubscribe ©2017 CAMECA. All rights reserved. By continuing to use the site you agree to our privacy and cookie policy Ok