Principle and Application of 'Image-mapping' in-situ U-Pb Carbonate Age-dating

We introduce a new 'image-mapping' in-situ U-Pb dating method using LA-ICP-MS, proposed by Drost et al. (2018), and show the characteristics and usability of this method through several examples of absolute age results determined by first applying it to samples from the Joseon Supergroup of the Early Paleozoic Era in Korea. Unlike the previous in-situ spot analysis, this in-situ U-Pb dating method for carbonate minerals can determine the absolute age with high reliability by applying the 'image-mapping' method of micro -sized domains based on micro-textural observation, as well as determine the absolute age of multiple geological 'events' that occurred after deposition. This was confirmed in the case of determining the syn-depositional age and the multiple post-depositional ages from carbonate minerals of the Makgol and the Daegi Formations. Therefore, if the 'image-mapping' in-situ U-Pb dating method is applied to determine the absolute age of various types of carbonate minerals that exist in various geological environments throughout the geologic era, it will be possible to secure new geological age information.