Geology Zircon Saturation Temperature Watson Harrison Calculator
Watson–Harrison 1983 zircon saturation T=12900/(ln(497644/Zr)+2.95+.85(M−1)); M is independently calculated cation(Na+K+2Ca)/(AlSi), melt saturation/application externally verified. 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
Zircon saturation thermometry relates dissolved zirconium concentration and melt composition to a conditional saturation temperature.
Zircon saturation thermometry relates dissolved zirconium concentration and melt composition to a conditional saturation temperature.1, 2
Applying a thermometer requires independently establishing saturation, compositional suitability and the intended calibration. Use this tool to calculate zircon saturation temperature watson harrison from the supplied measurements and assumptions.
When to use Geology Zircon Saturation Temperature Watson Harrison Calculator
Use this tool to calculate zircon saturation temperature watson harrison 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 Zircon Saturation Temperature Watson Harrison Calculator and understand its results
- Establish the measurement units, sampled interval, calibration or model edition and geological assumptions before entering data.
- Enter zirconConcentrationPpm, compositionM, using the field meanings and rules below, then run the tool.
- Read watsonHarrisonTemperatureK. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| zirconConcentrationPpm | Zircon concentration ppm | number | Required |
| compositionM | Composition m | number | Required |
Use positive zirconConcentrationPpm as the dissolved zirconium ppm input to the committed formula, despite its abbreviated field label, and independently calculated positive compositionM. The source specifies M=(Na+K+2Ca)/(Al×Si) on the adopted cation basis. Calculate D=497644/Zr, require a positive denominator ln(D)+2.95+0.85(M−1), and return 12900/denominator in kelvins. Convert kelvins to Celsius separately by subtracting 273.15 if needed. No saturation determination, composition calculation or calibration-range check is performed; the synthetic example is arithmetic, not a valid melt calibration.
T_K=12900/[ln(497644/Zr_ppm)+2.95+0.85(M−1)] Use the exact units, boundary rules, ordering and missing-evidence conventions above.
| Output field | Meaning | Value type |
|---|---|---|
| watsonHarrisonTemperatureK | Watson Harrison Temperature K; follow the units, sign, ordering and evidence convention stated above | number |
{
"input": {
"zirconConcentrationPpm": 497644,
"compositionM": 1
},
"output": {
"watsonHarrisonTemperatureK": 4372.881355932203
}
}Limitations and assumptions
The committed formula uses 2.95+0.85(M−1) in its denominator. This differs from 3.80+0.85(M−1) in the Watson–Harrison relation reported in the linked thermometry paper. The calculation and example here describe the current code; independently resolve this calibration discrepancy before reporting a Watson–Harrison temperature.
Applying a thermometer requires independently establishing saturation, compositional suitability and the intended calibration. 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 Apatite Saturation Temperature Calculator for this related task: Apatite saturation thermometry requires an applicable melt-composition calibration and saturation interpretation.
Use Geology Chlorite Geothermometer Calculator when its separate inputs and assumptions fit the question: Chlorite thermometry uses a specified compositional calibration with its own applicability limits.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Geology Apatite Saturation Temperature Calculator
Apatite saturation thermometry requires an applicable melt-composition calibration and saturation interpretation.
- Geology Chlorite Geothermometer Calculator
Chlorite thermometry uses a specified compositional calibration with its own applicability limits.