Caltech Noble Gas Lab Research Activities
Research in the Farley lab encompasses a wide array of geological and methodological problems. Over the past twenty years, we have developed techniques for understanding the low temperature cooling histories of rock masses. The (U-Th)/He method and 4He/3He thermochronometry allow us to explore thermal histories that illuminate paleotectonics, geomorphology, hydrocarbon maturation, and other processes. More recently, we have also begun to explore techniques such as (U-Th)/Ne dating, cosmogenic 3He and 21Ne dating, heavy noble gas geochronology, and extraterrestrial geochronology. Some of these topics are described in more detail on the pages linked below.