We welcomed Dr. Carla Porcher and Dr. Lidia Vignol to our facilities; they are the coordinator and deputy coordinator, respectively, of the Isotope Geology Laboratory (CPGQ) at the Institute of Geosciences of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Both professionals are specialists with extensive experience in both thermochronology (AFTA and U-Th/He) and U/Pb dating of zircons.
The purpose of this visit was to tour the LaTe Andes facilities, discuss various methodological aspects of thermochronology, and establish points of agreement for collaborative work between the two institutions. In this regard, both researchers expressed a strong willingness to collaborate not only on thermochronology but also on stable isotope studies and other absolute dating systems. Furthermore, they would be willing to provide support for the new project proposed by LaTe Andes on age determinations using the (U-Th-Sm)/He and U/Pb systems.
During her visit, Dr. Vignol gave a lecture on thermochronology, fission tracks, and U-Th/He dating. In addition, Ms. Sofía Bordese (LaTe Andes) gave a presentation on achievements in the irradiation (at RA 3, Ezeiza) of samples for thermochronology and Argentina’s potential as one of the few countries with the installed capacity to carry out this type of activity. Mr. Hernandez gave a lecture on the objectives, structure, and development of LaTe Andes, from an integrative perspective as a technology-based public-private partnership.
