Exciting signatures from Earth's mantle

The basis for the use of isotopes in geological studies is that the decay of long lived radioactive elements gives rise to small but significant changes in the isotopic compositions of the 'daughter' elements. Isotopic ratios of the latter elements are diagnostic of the age of the rock or mineral in which they are contained and give rise to the science of geochronology. Another important application is the genetic implication of isotopic ratios. That minute diamond inclusions broken from diamonds can be dated, reflects the fact that radiogenic isotope studies have reached a level of sophistication that will undoubtedly lead to new advances in the understanding of the earth's evolutionary processes. The isotopic studies of kimberlites, lamproites and mantle xenoliths have provided an important insight into the nature and composition of the earth's upper mantle