The 40Ar/39Ar geochronology method has had a profound impact on the Earth system sciences since its introduction in 1965. Here in the Oregon State University Argon Geochronology Lab (OSU-ARGON) we have been employing this dating method ever since 1977 with a focus on volcanism in both the marine and terrestrial environment to improve the geochronology of the ocean crust, ocean island volcanism, large igneous provinces, lunar and planetary rocks, hydrothermal minerals and clays, ore deposits and critical minerals, detrital mica and feldspar minerals, and so on …
This NSF-sponsored facility is currently directed by Prof. Anthony Koppers and Assistant Prof. Kevin Konrad open to visiting scientists, post-docs, and students from across and outside the USA. Together with predecessor Emeritus Prof. Bob Duncan they have built up strong research programs with an emphasis on the geochronology of ocean basin volcanism and mantle geodynamics, including the dating of the ocean floor, seamounts, volcanic islands and large igneous provinces.