Diffusion, cooling and isotope closure
Research context
research method · conditional · As of 2026-10-10
An apparent thermochronological age depends on diffusion kinetics, grain geometry and cooling history.
Key knowledge
An apparent thermochronological age depends on diffusion kinetics, grain geometry and cooling history. Closure temperature is a model-dependent effective temperature, not a universal temperature at which radioactive decay starts; reheating and inherited components can complicate the clock.
Values and equations
D(T) = D0 exp[-Ea/(R T)]
- D
- Diffusion coefficient m^2 s^-1
- D0
- Arrhenius prefactor m^2 s^-1
- Ea
- Molar activation energy J mol^-1
- R
- Molar gas constant J mol^-1 K^-1
- T
- Absolute temperature K
Conditions and scope
- The Dodson abstract establishes thermally activated diffusion and geometry/cooling dependence; full derivation was not newly inspected.
- Apply the relevant grain/domain and thermal-history model rather than a mineral-name constant.
Sources · 1
References
Sources retain their recorded scope. A source link alone does not establish verification of every statement.
Evidence and review
Closure temperature in cooling geochronological and petrological systems: Publisher abstract: diffusion, grain geometry and cooling history (abstract/preview only).
2026-10-10 · Bounded source check of the recorded statement and conditions. This does not certify a unique physical model, reproduce the cited study or replace independent branch review.
Entry details
Permanent link to this entry ↗- Record identity
- research-earth-diffusion-closure
- Revision
- research.1
- Structured reference record
- Postgraduate & research reference