Zircon and monazite behavior in high temperature metamorphic rocks, and its application to U-Th-Pb geochronology

Abstract

U-Th-Pb analysis for microdomain of zircon and monazite crystals using SIMS/SHRIMP, LA-ICP-MS and EMP/EPMA is one of convincing age determination techniques to unravel the multiple thermal events recorded in the rocks having experienced high temperature (HT) and ultra high temperature (UHT) metamorphism. Chemical features (Th/U ratio, rare earth elements (REE), Ti, Zr and P etc.) combined with the morphology and internal structure of zircon and monazite crystals can tie the obtained ages to the pressure, temperature and other information recorded in the coexisting metamorphic minerals.