An approach to luminescence thermochronometer applied on Quartz from different rock types

Thermal ages (e.g. Fission tracks) play an important role for the understanding of the mountain building activities within the upper crust. In order to understand the uplift history of Taiwan, especially for low temperature part, present study explores the applicability of thermal ages of fairly low cooling temperature using luminescence dating method. Since the reliability of luminescence dating method is sample dependent, this study start with check signal intensity and relevant characteristics of luminescence from appropriate minerals e.g. quartz and feldspar. Samples for current studies were collected from Central Range of Taiwan. The sample locations are chosen in such a way that it covers the various altitudes within the Central Range and from two different rock types.1) cherty-marble and 2) meta-sandstone to get the rock dependent variation. Also, it has been observed that cherty-marble did not go under stress whereas meta-sandstone had undergone the stress. This study also compares the stress effect on luminescence signal as to provide true ages from the thermal effect alone. After that, the thermal ages are determined by conventional single aliquot regenerative-dose (SAR) protocol and isothermal Thermoluminescence (ITL) on mineral extract from the rocks. The luminescence signals measured using ITL has been confirmed from high-Temperature traps but conventional SAR protocol from relatively low-Temperature traps.