Articles | Volume 19, issue 14
https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-19-6571-2026
https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-19-6571-2026
Development and technical paper
 | 
21 Jul 2026
Development and technical paper |  | 21 Jul 2026

Modelling diffusion, decay and ingrowth of U–Pb isotopes in zircon

Ben S. Knight and Chris Clark

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Geosci. Model Dev., 19, 5723–5741, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-19-5723-2026,https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-19-5723-2026, 2026
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Cited articles

Balay, S., Gropp, W. D., McInnes, L. C., and Smith, B. F.: Efficient Management of Parallelism in Object-Oriented Numerical Software Libraries, in: Modern Software Tools for Scientific Computing, Springer, 163–202, ISBN 978-1-4612-1986-6, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-1986-6_8, 1997. a
Bea, F. and Montero, P.: Diffusion-induced disturbances of the U–Pb isotope system in pre-magmatic zircon and their influence on SIMS dating. A numerical study, Chem. Geol., 349, 1–17, 2013. a, b
Bea, F., Montero, P., and Palma, J. F. M.: Experimental evidence for the preservation of U-Pb isotope ratios in mantle-recycled crustal zircon grains, Scient. Rep., 8, 12904, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-30934-4, 2018. a
Blereau, E., Clark, C., Taylor, R. J., Johnson, T., Fitzsimons, I., and Santosh, M.: Constraints on the timing and conditions of high-grade metamorphism, charnockite formation and fluid–rock interaction in the Trivandrum Block, southern India, J. Metamorph. Geol., 34, 527–549, 2016. a, b, c
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This study examines how high temperatures can alter the geochemical record in zircon crystals used to date rock events. Using computer simulations, we model how movement of atoms, radioactive decay, and the formation of new elements interact in a zircon under changing heat conditions. Our simulation is compared with measurements from rocks in southern India to estimate temperature history of the region. The work aims to improve insights from rock dating and our understanding of Earth's past.
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