Geology Argon Argon Plateau Age Calculator
Bounded contiguous≥3-step observed plateau screen, independent maximum age-span and released-fraction policy; earliest maximum-weight tie, no statistical/geological plateau certification. Caller independently establishes matching units, evidence, method edition and applicability; output is not compliance, diagnosis, work-safety approval, geological identity or validated hazard prediction.
Description
An argon release plateau groups consecutive steps with compatible ages and sufficient released fraction under an adopted criterion.
An argon release plateau groups consecutive steps with compatible ages and sufficient released fraction under an adopted criterion.1
Selecting a window by age range and weight is distinct from a full uncertainty-aware plateau-age analysis. Use this tool to calculate argon argon plateau age from the supplied measurements and assumptions.
When to use Geology Argon Argon Plateau Age Calculator
Use this tool to calculate argon argon plateau age from the supplied measurements and assumptions. Establish the measurement units, sampled interval, calibration or model edition and geological assumptions before entering data.
How to use Geology Argon Argon Plateau Age Calculator and understand its results
- Establish the measurement units, sampled interval, calibration or model edition and geological assumptions before entering data.
- Enter stepAges, releasedArgonWeights, callerMaxAgeSpan, callerMinimumReleasedFraction, using the field meanings and rules below, then run the tool.
- Read observedPlateauStartIndex, observedPlateauEndIndex, observedPlateauWeightedAge, noQualifyingPlateau. Interpret the fields using their units, signs and evidence conventions below.
- If input validation fails, correct the reported field and run again. Before applying the result, check reference scope, model assumptions and any missing evidence or placeholder values.
| Input field | Meaning | Value type | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| stepAges | Step ages | list of number | Required |
| releasedArgonWeights | Released argon weights | list of number | Required |
| callerMaxAgeSpan | Caller max age span | number | Required |
| callerMinimumReleasedFraction | Caller minimum released fraction | number | Required |
Enter nonempty aligned finite step ages and positive released-argon weights, at most 128 steps, a nonnegative maximum age span and a minimum released fraction in (0,1]. Search consecutive windows of at least three steps whose maxAge−minAge stays within tolerance and whose weight fraction reaches the supplied minimum. Choose the greatest total weight; strict greater-than replacement retains the first encountered tie. Return inclusive zero-based start/end and weighted age. With no qualifying window, return indices −1, age placeholder 0 and noQualifyingPlateau=true. No age uncertainty or MSWD criterion is applied.
qualifying=(stepCount≥3 and ageRange≤tolerance and windowWeight/totalWeight≥minFraction); selectedAge=Σ_window(age×weight)/windowWeight Use the exact units, boundary rules, ordering and missing-evidence conventions above.
| Output field | Meaning | Value type |
|---|---|---|
| observedPlateauStartIndex | Inclusive zero-based first step of selected window, or −1 when no window qualifies | number |
| observedPlateauEndIndex | Inclusive zero-based last step of selected window, or −1 when no window qualifies | number |
| observedPlateauWeightedAge | Weighted selected-window age on the input basis; placeholder 0 if no qualifying window | number |
| noQualifyingPlateau | True when no qualifying consecutive window was found; interpret the placeholder fields accordingly | boolean |
{
"input": {
"stepAges": [
10,
10,
10,
20
],
"releasedArgonWeights": [
1,
1,
1,
1
],
"callerMaxAgeSpan": 0,
"callerMinimumReleasedFraction": 0.5
},
"output": {
"observedPlateauStartIndex": 0,
"observedPlateauEndIndex": 2,
"observedPlateauWeightedAge": 10,
"noQualifyingPlateau": false
}
}Limitations and assumptions
Selecting a window by age range and weight is distinct from a full uncertainty-aware plateau-age analysis. Interpretation depends on the units, sampling scope and exact model described above.
All listed fields require explicit values. Unexpected fields, incorrect types, nonfinite numbers and sparse evidence arrays fail validation; the specific bounds and alignment requirements are stated above. Extremely large inputs or outputs can also be rejected. An input error is distinct from a successful result reporting false, no matches or missing evidence.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use Geology U Th Disequilibrium Age Calculator for this related task: An activity-ratio age interpretation depends on a specified uranium–thorium evolution curve.
Use Geology U Pb Discordia Upper Intercept Calculator when its separate inputs and assumptions fit the question: A discordia line summarizes paired uranium–lead ratio observations in a chosen coordinate system.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Geology U Th Disequilibrium Age Calculator
An activity-ratio age interpretation depends on a specified uranium–thorium evolution curve.
- Geology U Pb Discordia Upper Intercept Calculator
A discordia line summarizes paired uranium–lead ratio observations in a chosen coordinate system.