Which minerals besides zircon can be dated with the uranium-lead method?

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While zircon is the most prominent mineral used in uranium-lead dating, several other minerals are also suitable for this method, allowing geochronologists to date a wide variety of igneous and metamorphic rocks.1

Minerals that can be dated using the uranium-lead method include:

  • Baddeleyite (ZrO2) and zirconolite (CaZrTi2O7): These are widespread in silica-poor mafic igneous rocks.1
  • Perovskite (CaTiO3): A common constituent in certain ultramafic igneous rocks.1
  • Titanite (CaTiSiO5): Frequently employed for dating igneous and metamorphic rocks and useful for identifying both primary and secondary geological events.12
  • Monazite: Commonly used for dating igneous and metamorphic rocks.1
  • Rutile (TiO2): A low-uranium trace mineral found in various mineral deposits.1
  • Garnet: Can be used in certain favorable cases.1

These advancements have significantly expanded the range of datable materials, allowing for precise age determinations across virtually all types of igneous rocks.1