U-TH-PB: An Example of False Isochrons

Authors

Andrew A. Snelling, Creation Science Foundation

Proposal

As with other isochron methods, the U-Pb isochron method has been questioned in the open literature, because often an excellent line of best fit between ratios obtained from a set of good cogenetic samples gives a resultant 'isochron' and yields a derived 'age' that has no distinct geological meaning. At Koongarra, Australia, U·Th·Pb Isotopic studias of uranium ore, host rocks and soils have produced an array of false 'isochrons' that yield 'ages' that are geologically meaningless. Even a claimed near·concordant U-Pb 'age' of 862Ma on one uraninite grain is identical to a false Pb-Pb isochron 'age', but neither can be connected to any geological event. Open system behaviour of the U-Th-Pb system is clearly the norm, as is the resultant mixing of radiogenic Pb with common or background Pb, even in soils in the surrounding region. Because no geologically meaningful results can be interpreted from the U-Th-Pb data at Koongarra (three uraninite grains even yield a ²³²Th/²⁰⁸Pb 'age' of OMa), serious questions must be asked about the validity of the fundamental/foundational basis of the U-Th-Pb 'dating' method. This makes the task of creationists building their model for the geological record much easier, since claims of U-Th-Pb radiometric 'dating' having 'proven' the claimed great antiquity of the earth, its strata and fossils can be safely side-stepped.

Keywords

Geochronology, U-Th-Pb isotopes, Isochrons, uranium ore, soils

Print Reference

Pages 497-504

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Recommended Citation

Snelling, Andrew A. (1994) "U-TH-PB: An Example of False Isochrons," Proceedings of the International Conference on Creationism: Vol. 3, Article 51.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/icc_proceedings/vol3/iss1/51