Advances in Earth Science ›› 2007, Vol. 22 ›› Issue (9): 960-968. doi: 10.11867/j.issn.1001-8166.2007.09.0960

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Paleohypsometry: New Application of Hydrogen Isotope and Oxygen Isotope

YANG Hong-mei, WANG Cheng-shan   

  1. China University of Geosciences,School of Earth Sciences and Resources, Beijing 100083, China
  • Received:2007-03-30 Revised:2007-07-23 Online:2007-09-15 Published:2007-09-10

Quantitative Estimation of paleoaltitude is the objective that geologistes have always sought.The research history of paleohypsometry which uses oxygen and hydrogen isotopic composition of authigenic mineral is overviewed. This method has much more potential to be applied to older periods than Cenozonic. According to equilibrium fractionation during Rayleigh distillation linked to the thermodynamics of atmospheric ascent and water vapor condensation, thermodynamics model has been established. The model is a kind of simple and convenient calculational method,which can be used for relatively low latitude(≤35°) area. Regional experiencial relationship method is not simple and has limited application region, but the error of this method is relatively little. Both of the two methods mentioned above need precision enhancement. Calcite, smectite,goethite and kaolinite has been used as mineral proxies in the past researches.Calcite has been used as mineral proxy most frequently. However,it is not certain which mineral can produce the least error of predicted paleoaltitude.

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