Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Sm–Nd Dating

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Scientific Dating Methods

Definition

Samarium–neodymium dating uses the radioactive decay of 147Sm to 143Nd and 146Sm to 142Nd to measure the age of rocks and minerals and to trace and date geochemical processes responsible for the chemical differentiation of the Earth and the terrestrial planets and planetesimals.

Introduction

Introduced to the geochemical and cosmochemical communities in the early 1970s, the Sm–Nd radioactive decay systems have grown into essential tools in geochronology and particularly for the tracing of geochemical processes. A key strength of Sm–Nd dating is that it involves two rare earth elements (REE). The behavior of the REE during geologic processes is relatively well understood because, with the exception of Eu and Ce under some conditions, they all have the same ionic charge of +3 and their ionic radius changes monotonically as a function of atomic number. As a result, their fractionation from one another during silicate rock melting and crystallization is predictable. In addition,...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

Bibliography

  • Allègre, C. J., and Othman, D. B., 1980. Nd-Sr isotopic relationship in granitoid rocks and continental crust development: a chemical approach to orogenesis. Nature, 286, 335–342.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allègre, C. J., Hart, S. R., and Minster, J.-F., 1983. Chemical structure and evolution of the mantle and continents determined by inversion of Nd and Sr isotopic data, II. Numerical experiments and discussion. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 66, 191–213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amelin, Y., 2008. U-Pb ages of angrites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 72, 221–232.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andreasen, R., and Sharma, M., 2007. Mixing and homogenization in the early solar system: clues from Sr, Ba, Nd, and Sm isotopes in meteorites. The Astrophysical Journal, 665, 874–883.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arlandini, C., Kappeler, F., Wisshak, K., Gallino, R., Lugaro, M., et al., 1999. Neutron capture in low-mass asymptotic giant branch stars: cross sections and abundance signatures. The Astrophysical Journal, 525, 886–900.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beattie, P., 1994. Systematics and energetics of trace-element partitioning between olivine and silicate melts: implications for the nature of mineral/melt partitioning. Chemical Geology, 117, 57–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Begemann, F., Ludwig, K. R., Lugmair, G. W., Min, K., Nyquist, L. E., et al., 2001. Call for an improved set of decay constants for geochronological use. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 65, 111–121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bindeman, I. N., and Davis, A. M., 2000. Trace element partitioning between plagioclase and melt: investigation of dopant influence on partition behavior. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 64, 2863–2878.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borg, L. E., Connelly, J. N., Boyet, M., and Carlson, R. W., 2011. Chronological evidence that the Moon is either young or did not have a global magma ocean. Nature, 477, 70–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouvier, A., Vervoort, J. D., and Patchett, P. J., 2008. The Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd isotopic composition of CHUR: constraints from unequilibrated chondrites and implications for the bulk composition of terrestrial planets. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 273, 48–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boyet, M., and Carlson, R. W., 2005. 142Nd evidence for early (>4.53 Ga) global differentiation of the silicate Earth. Science, 309, 576–581.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boyet, M., and Carlson, R. W., 2007. A highly depleted moon or a non-magma ocean origin for the lunar crust? Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 262, 505–516.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boyet, M., Carlson, R. W., and Horan, M. F., 2010. Old Sm-Nd ages for cumulate eucrites and redetermination of the solar system initial 146Sm/144Sm ratio. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 291, 172–181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burbidge, E. M., Burbidge, G. R., Fowler, W. A., and Hoyle, F., 1957. Synthesis of the elements in stars. Reviews of Modern Physics, 29, 547–654.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Busso, M., Straniero, O., Gallino, R., and Abia, C., 2004. s-processing in AGB stars and the composition of carbon stars. In McWilliam, A., and Rauch, M. (eds.), Origin and Evolution of the Elements. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 67–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, R. W., 2013. Thermal ionization mass spectrometry. In McDonough, W. F., Holland, H. D., and Turekian, K. K. (eds.), Treatise on Geochemistry. Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 337–354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, R. W., and Boyet, M., 2009. Short-lived radionuclides as monitors of early crust-mantle differentiation on the terrestrial planets. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 279, 147–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, R. W., Lugmair, G. W., and Macdougall, J. D., 1981. Columbia River volcanism: the question of mantle heterogeneity or crustal contamination. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 45, 2483–2499.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, R. W., Boyet, M., and Horan, M., 2007. Chondrite barium, neodymium, and samarium isotopic heterogeneity and early earth differentiation. Science, 316, 1175–1178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chauvel, C., Dupre, B., and Jenner, G. A., 1985. The Sm-Nd age of Kambalda volcanics is 500 Ma too old! Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 74, 315–324.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chavagnac, V., and Jahn, B.-M., 1996. Coesite-bearing eclogites from the Bixiling Complex, Dabie Mountains, China: Sm-Nd ages, geochemical characteristics and tectonic implications. Chemical Geology, 133, 29–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cowan, J. J., and Sneden, C., 2004. Advances in r-process nucleosynthesis. In McWilliam, A., and Rauch, M. (eds.), Origin and Evolution of the Elements. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 27–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • DePaolo, D. J., 1980. Sources of continental crust: neodymium isotope evidence from the Sierra Nevada and Peninsular ranges. Science, 209, 684–687.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DePaolo, D. J., 1981. Trace element and isotopic effects of combined wallrock assimilation and fractional crystallization. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 53, 189–202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DePaolo, D. J., 1988. Neodymium Isotope Geochemistry: An Introduction. Heidelberg: Springer, p. 187.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • DePaolo, D. J., and Wasserburg, G. J., 1976a. Inferences about magma sources and mantle structure from variations of 143Nd/144Nd. Geophysical Research Letters, 3, 743–746.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DePaolo, D. J., and Wasserburg, G. J., 1976b. Nd isotopic variations and petrogenetic models. Geophysical Research Letters, 3, 249–252.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DePaolo, D. J., and Wasserburg, G. J., 1979. Sm-Nd age of the Stillwater complex and the mantle evolution curve for neodymium. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 43, 999–1008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DePaolo, D. J., Linn, A. M., and Schubert, G., 1991. The continental crustal age distribution: methods of determining mantle separation ages from Sm-Nd isotopic data and application to the Southwestern United States. Journal of Geophysical Research, 96, 2071–2088.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ducea, M. N., Ganguly, J., Rosenberg, E. J., Patchett, P. J., Cheng, W., and Isachsen, C., 2003. Sm-Nd dating of spatially controlled domains of garnet single crystals: a new method of high-temperature thermochronology. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 213, 31–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emsley, J., 1991. The Elements. Oxford: Clarendon, p. 251.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eugster, O., Tera, F., Burnett, D. S., and Wasserburg, G. J., 1970. The isotopic composition of Gd and the neutron capture effects in samples from Apollo 11. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 8, 20–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friedman, A. M., Milsted, J., Metta, D., Henderson, D., Lerner, J., et al., 1966. Alpha decay half-lives of 148Gd, 150Gd and 146Sm. Radiochimica Acta, 5, 192–194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallino, R., Busso, M., and Lugaro, M., 1997. Neutron capture nucleosynthesis in AGB stars. In Bernatowicz, T. J., and Zinner, E. K. (eds.), Astrophysical Implications of the Laboratory Study of Presolar Materials. Woodbury, MN: The American Institute of Physics, pp. 115–153.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Green, T. H., Blundy, J. D., Adam, J., and Yaxley, G. M., 2000. SIMS determination of trace element partition coefficients between garnet, clinopyroxene and hydrous basaltic liquids at 2–7.5 GPa and 1080-1200 °C. Lithos, 53, 165–187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton, P. J., O’Nions, R. K., and Evensen, N. M., 1977. Sm-Nd dating of Archean basic and ultrabasic volcanics. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 36, 263–268.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hauri, E. H., Wagner, T. P., and Grove, T. L., 1994. Experimental and natural partitioning of Th, U, Pb and other trace elements between garnet, clinopyroxene and basaltic melts. Chemical Geology, 117, 149–166.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hidaka, H., and Yoneda, S., 2007. Sm and Gd isotopic shifts of Apollo 16 and 17 drill stem samples and their implications for regolith history. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 71, 1074–1086.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Irving, A. J., 1978. A review of experimental studies of crystal/liquid trace element partitioning. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 42, 743–770.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jacobsen, S. B., and Wasserburg, G. J., 1979. Nd and Sr isotopic study of the Bay of Islands ophiolite complex and the evolution of the source of midocean ridge basalts. Journal of Geophysical Research, 84, 7429–7445.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jacobsen, S. B., and Wasserburg, G. J., 1980. Sm-Nd isotopic evolution of chondrites. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 50, 139–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jahn, B.-M., Gruau, G., and Glickson, A. Y., 1982. Komatiites of the Onverwacht Group, South Africa: REE geochemistry, Sm-Nd age and mantle evolution. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 80, 25–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, K. M., Khatiwala, S. P., Goldstein, S. L., Hemming, S. R., and van der Flierdt, T., 2008. Modeling the distribution of Nd isotopes in the oceans using an ocean general circulation model. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 272, 610–619.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kinoshita, N., Paul, M., Kashiv, Y., Collon, P., Deibel, C. M., et al., 2012. A shorter 142Nd half-life measured and implications for 146Sm-142Nd chronology in the solar system. Science, 335, 1614–1617.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lambert, D. D., Walker, R. J., Morgan, J. W., Shirey, S. B., Carlson, R. W., et al., 1994. Re-Os and Sm-Nd isotopic evidence for the petrogenesis of the Stillwater Complex, Montana. Journal of Petrology, 35, 1717–1753.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • LaTourette, T., Hervig, R. L., and Holloway, J. R., 1995. Trace element partitioning between amphibole, phlogopite, and basanite melt. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 135, 13–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, X., Zhao, J., McCulloch, M. T., and Zhou, G. F., 1997. Geochemical and Sm-Nd isotopic study of Neoproterozoic ophiolites from southeastern China: petrogenesis and tectonic interpretations. Precambrian Research, 81, 129–144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lingenfelter, R. E., Canfield, E. H., and Hampel, V. E., 1972. The lunar neutron flux revisited. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 16, 335–369.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lodders, K., 2003. Solar system abundances and condensation temperatures of the elements. Astrophysical Journal, 591, 1220–1247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lugmair, G. W., and Marti, K., 1971. Neutron capture effects in lunar gadolinium and the irradiation histories of some lunar rocks. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 13, 32–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lugmair, G. W., and Marti, K., 1977. Sm-Nd-Pu timepieces in the Angra dos Reis meteorite. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 35, 273–284.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lugmair, G. W., Scheinin, N. B., and Marti, K., 1975a. Search for extinct 146Sm, 1. The isotopic abundance of 142Nd in the Juvinas meteorite. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 27, 79–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lugmair, G. W., Scheinin, N. B., and Marti, K., 1975b. Sm-Nd age and history of Apollo 17 basalt 75075: evidence for early differentiation of the lunar interior. In Proceedings of the 6th Lunar Science Conference, pp. 1419–1429.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lugmair, G. W., Marti, K., Kurtz, J. P., and Scheinin, N. B., 1976. History and genesis of lunar troctolite 76535 or: how old is old? In Proceedings Lunar Science Conference 7th, pp. 2009–2033.

    Google Scholar 

  • Machado, N., Brooks, C., and Hart, S. R., 1986. Determination of initial 87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd in primary minerals from mafic and ultramafic rocks: experimental procedure and implications for the isotopic characteristics of the Archean mantle under the Abitibi greenstone belt, Canada. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 50, 2335–2348.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, M. G., 1950. Nuclear configurations in the spin-orbit coupling model. I. Empirical evidence. Physical Review, 78, 16–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCulloch, M. T., Gregory, R. T., Wasserburg, G. J., and Taylor, H. P., Jr., 1981. Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr, and 18O/16O isotopic systematics in an oceanic crustal section: evidence from the Samail ophiolite. Journal of Geophysical Research, 86, 2721–2735.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDonough, W. F., and Sun, S.-s., 1995. The composition of the Earth. Chemical Geology, 120, 223–253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, B. S., 1997. Supernova nucleosynthesis. In Bernatowicz, T. J., and Zinner, E. K. (eds.), Astrophysical Implications of the Laboratory Study of Presolar Materials. Woodbury, MN: The American Institute of Physics, pp. 155–178.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, B. S., and Zinner, E., 2006. Nucleosynthesis. In Lauretta, D. S., and McSween, H. Y. (eds.), Meteorites and the Early Solar System II. Tucson, AZ: The University of Arizona Press, pp. 69–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mezger, K., Essene, E. J., and Halliday, A. N., 1992. Closure temperatures of the Sm-Nd system in metamorphic garnets. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 113, 397–409.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mork, M. B. E., Kullerud, K., and Stabel, A., 1988. Sm-Nd dating of Seve eclogites, Norrbotten Sweden – evidence for early Caledonian (505 Ma) subduction. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 99, 344–351.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mukasa, S. B., Wilson, A. H., and Carlson, R. W., 1998. A multielement geochronologic study of the Great Dyke, Zimbabwe: significance of the robust and reset ages. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 164, 353–369.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Notsu, K., Mabuchi, H., Yoshioka, O., Matsuda, J., and Ozima, M., 1973a. Evidence of the extinct nuclide 146Sm in “Juvinas” achondrite. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 19, 29–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Notsu, K., Mabuchi, H., Yoshioka, O., and Ozima, M., 1973b. 147Sm-143Nd dating of a Roberts Victor eclogite. Geochemical Journal, 7, 51–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nunes, P. D., 1981. The age of the Stillwater complex – a comparison of U-Pb zircon and Sm-Nd isochron systematics. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 45, 1961–1963.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nyquist, L. E., and Shih, C. Y., 1992. The isotopic record of lunar volcanism. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 56, 2213–2234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nyquist, L. E., Bogard, D. D., Shih, C.-Y., Greshake, A., Stoffler, D., and Eugster, O., 2001. Ages and geologic histories of Martian meteorites. Space Science Reviews, 96, 105–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Neil, J., Carlson, R. W., Paquette, J.-L., and Francis, D., 2012. Formation age and metamorphic history of the Nuvvuagittuq greenstone belt. Precambrian Research, 220–221, 23–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Nions, R. K., Hamilton, P. J., and Evensen, N. M., 1977. Variations in 143Nd/144Nd and 87Sr/86Sr in oceanic basalts. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 34, 13–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Nions, R. K., Carter, S. R., Evensen, N. M., and Hamilton, P. J., 1979. Geochemical and cosmochemical applications of Nd isotope analysis. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, 7, 11–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palme, H., and O’Neill, H. S. C., 2003. Cosmochemical estimates of mantle composition. In Carlson, R. W., Holland, H. D., and Turekian, K. K. (eds.), The Mantle and Core. Amsterdam: Elsevier. Treatise on Geochemistry, Vol. 2, pp. 1–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Piepgras, D. J., Wasserburg, G. J., and Dasch, E. J., 1979. The isotopic composition of Nd in different ocean masses. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 45, 223–236.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pollington, A. D., and Baxter, E. F., 2010. High resolution Sm–Nd garnet geochronology reveals the uneven pace of tectonometamorphic processes. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 293, 63–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pollington, A. D., and Baxter, E. F., 2011. High precision microsampling and preparation of zoned garnet porphyroblasts for Sm-Nd geochronology. Chemical Geology, 281, 270–282.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prevec, S. A., Ashwal, L. D., and Mkaza, M. S., 2005. Mineral disequilibrium in the Merensky Reef, western Bushveld Complex, South Africa: new Sm-Nd isotopic evidence. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 149, 306–315.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Puchtel, I. S., Walker, R. J., Brandon, A. D., and Nisbit, E. G., 2009. Pt-Re-Os and Sm–Nd isotope and HSE and REE systematics of the 2.7 Ga Belingwe and Abitibi komatiites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 73, 6367–6389.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qin, L., Carlson, R. W., and Alexander, C. M. O. D., 2011. Correlated nucleosynthetic isotopic variability in Cr, Sr, Ba, Sm, Nd and Hf in Murchison and QUE 97008. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 75, 7806–7828.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rankenburg, K., Brandon, A. D., and Neal, C. R., 2006. Neodymium isotope evidence for a chondritic composition of the Moon. Science, 312, 1369–1372.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schoene, B., Crowley, J. L., Condon, D. J., Schmitz, M. D., and Bowring, S. A., 2006. Reassessing the uranium decay constants for geochronology using ID-TIMS U–Pb data. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 70, 426–445.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, H. F., Chen, J. H., Saleeby, J. B., and Wasserburg, G. J., 1987. Nd-Sr-Pb systematics and age of the Kings River ophiolite, California: implications for depleted mantle evolution. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 96, 281–290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shirey, S. B., and Hanson, G. N., 1986. Mantle heterogeneity and crustal recycling in Archean granite-greenstone belts: evidence from Nd isotopes and trace elements in the Rainy Lake area, Ontario. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 50, 2631–2651.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, B. W., and DePaolo, D. J., 1992. Diffusive isotopic contamination of mafic magma by coexisting silicic liquid in the Muskox intrusion. Science, 255, 708–711.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tanaka, T., Togashi, S., Kamioka, H., Amakawa, H., Kagami, H., et al., 2000. JNdi: a neodymium isotopic reference in consistency with La Jolla neodymium. Chemical Geology, 168, 279–281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Truran, J. W. J., and Heger, A., 2003. Origin of the elements. In Davis, A. M., Holland, H. D., and Turekian, K. K. (eds.), Treatise on Geochemistry. Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 1–16.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Wood, B. J., and Blundy, J. D., 2003. Trace element partitioning under crustal and upper mantle conditions: the influences of ionic radius, cation charge, pressure and temperature. In Carlson, R. W., Holland, H. D., and Turekian, K. K. (eds.), Treatise on Geochemistry: The Mantle and Core. Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 395–424.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, Carnegie Institution of Washington, 5241 Broad Branch Road, NW, Washington, DC, 20015, USA

    Dr. Richard W. Carlson

Authors
  1. Dr. Richard W. Carlson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Richard W. Carlson .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Geography and Earth Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

    W. Jack Rink

  2. Department of Medical Physics and Applied Radiation Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

    Jeroen Thompson

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this entry

Cite this entry

Carlson, R.W. (2013). Sm–Nd Dating. In: Rink, W., Thompson, J. (eds) Encyclopedia of Scientific Dating Methods. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6326-5_84-1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6326-5_84-1

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-007-6326-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Earth and Environm. ScienceReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Earth and Environmental Sciences

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation