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To: GourmetDan
You can't calculate how much 87Sr was present at the beginning without first *assuming* that it is relatively proportional w/ 84Sr, 86Sr & 88Sr.

What do you mean specifically? Are you suggesting that the several isotopes of Sr behave differently chemically? If not, then how will you arrange to vary the ratio of their concentrations in the minute parts of a lava flow that form a single zircon?

What can happen, according to what I've read, is that a zircon can be pulled into a later flow and act as the nucleus for additional crystal formation. Then the isochron won't give any age, or rather it would give two if we had enough data points.

722 posted on 05/02/2006 1:42:46 PM PDT by edsheppa
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To: edsheppa

I mean specifically that you can't *calculate* this value and you can't *observe* this value. You *first* make an *assumption*(well several actually but I am simplifying), *then* calculate. The *assumption* comes *first*.

If you can't see that, then you can't see that.


729 posted on 05/02/2006 1:48:18 PM PDT by GourmetDan
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To: edsheppa

Sounds like some people know no more science than the average lawyer or pony-tailed journalist.


768 posted on 05/02/2006 2:54:21 PM PDT by Doctor Stochastic (Vegetabilisch = chaotisch ist der Charakter der Modernen. - Friedrich Schlegel)
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