Changes

==Measuring maturity with apatite fission tracks==

==Measuring maturity with apatite fission tracks==

The continued existence of apatite fission tracks is temperature dependent. At temperatures below [[temperature::60°C]] the fission tracks exist as they were formed. However, as the temperature increases from [[temperature::60-120°C]], the length of the fission tracks in apatite crystals will decrease due to thermally induced “healing” of the crystal structure. This process is referred to as '''annealing'''.

The continued existence of apatite fission tracks is temperature dependent. At temperatures below [[temperature::60°C]] the fission tracks exist as they were formed. However, as the temperature increases from [[temperature::60 - 120°C]], the length of the fission tracks in apatite crystals will decrease due to thermally induced “healing” of the crystal structure. This process is referred to as '''annealing'''.

The mean length of a fission track at the time of formation and up to [[temperature::60°C]] is 15μ. Fission tracks will completely anneal and disappear at approximately [[temperature::120°C]]. Therefore, the length of apatite fission tracks can be used as a measure of the maximum temperature that a rock has been subjected to and provides information related to thermal history.

The mean length of a fission track at the time of formation and up to [[temperature::60°C]] is 15μ. Fission tracks will completely anneal and disappear at approximately [[temperature::120°C]]. Therefore, the length of apatite fission tracks can be used as a measure of the maximum temperature that a rock has been subjected to and provides information related to thermal history.