<p>I run an argon lab which does also K-Ar measurements. 
The sample amount depends on the age because you need enough signal strength to measure the radiogenic argon component precisely. Young rocks have very low 40Ar* and to get enough volts on the detector you need more sample. Having the incorrect amount is akin to trying to measure micrometers with a yardstick.</p>

<p>For K measurements 30 mg in our lab is routine.
For the argon measurement we usually use about 2 mg; for very young rocks up to 200mg for rocks with ca. 2% K. We can date volcanic rocks of less than 20000 years using this technique and have dated historic eruptions successfully in our lab.</p>

<p>Usually customers can say if the rocks are very young, so I usually prepare the sample amount accordingly. I had a couple of completely blind samples where I had no idea of the age of the sample a priori, I ran a test with a ca 4 mg which yielded almost no gas, so I re-ran with more material. </p>

<p>Regarding sampling technique itself- look for minerals with more potassium, such as muscovite, biotite, amphiboles, or more felsic rocks. If the rocks are obviously weathered, they are not suitable. </p>

<p>I also have to say that Ar/Ar is a more accurate tool for most rocks and minerals, and then just a few mg is enough if the samples are Mesozoic or older. If they are very young, higher sample amounts are required as with the K-Ar technique.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-16T16:02:37.530Z
Can you give a quick outline of the possible "false positive" or "false negative" conditions for K-Ar dating?
elliot svensson
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-19T12:06:25.220Z
2018-06-19T12:06:25.220Z
Geochron
<p>How much sample of volcanic rock is required to undertake a K-Ar date measurement, and does it matter if the rock contains vesicles? Are there tricks of the trade to get a good sample?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-19T18:50:56.020Z
In answer to the first question I suspect it depends on your instrument although I've never done it myself.
bon
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-22T07:18:57.800Z
Are you dating whole rocks? Mineral separates? What are the K contents of your rock? In which lab? There is no one single answer to this. This could be in the mg to g range. You need to ask the people who are going to date your rock what they need and how much of it.
Gimelist
<dating><age>
How to sample for K-Ar dating?
Gordon Stanger
# How to sample for K-Ar dating?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-10-19)

How much sample of volcanic rock is required to undertake a K-Ar date measurement, and does it matter if the rock contains vesicles? Are there tricks of the trade to get a good sample?

**Tags:** dating, age

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: In answer to the first question I suspect it depends on your instrument although I've never done it myself.  
> **username_2**: Are you dating whole rocks? Mineral separates? What are the K contents of your rock? In which lab? There is no one single answer to this. This could be in the mg to g range. You need to ask the people who are going to date your rock what they need and how much of it.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2018-06-19. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

I run an argon lab which does also K-Ar measurements.
The sample amount depends on the age because you need enough signal strength to measure the radiogenic argon component precisely. Young rocks have very low 40Ar\* and to get enough volts on the detector you need more sample. Having the incorrect amount is akin to trying to measure micrometers with a yardstick.

For K measurements 30 mg in our lab is routine.
For the argon measurement we usually use about 2 mg; for very young rocks up to 200mg for rocks with ca. 2% K. We can date volcanic rocks of less than 20000 years using this technique and have dated historic eruptions successfully in our lab.

Usually customers can say if the rocks are very young, so I usually prepare the sample amount accordingly. I had a couple of completely blind samples where I had no idea of the age of the sample a priori, I ran a test with a ca 4 mg which yielded almost no gas, so I re-ran with more material.

Regarding sampling technique itself- look for minerals with more potassium, such as muscovite, biotite, amphiboles, or more felsic rocks. If the rocks are obviously weathered, they are not suitable.

I also have to say that Ar/Ar is a more accurate tool for most rocks and minerals, and then just a few mg is enough if the samples are Mesozoic or older. If they are very young, higher sample amounts are required as with the K-Ar technique.

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: Can you give a quick outline of the possible "false positive" or "false negative" conditions for K-Ar dating?  

---

