Helium Isotopes

Helium gas is a trace constituent of groundwater and thermal fluids, and the ratio of 3He to 4He can be measured with a high-precision mass spectrometer to determine whether it is derived from air, from the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium in the crust, or from the mantle. The latter is a characteristic feature of volcanic and geothermal gases.

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Word of the Week – Drill Core

Word of the Week – Drill Core

Drill Core Intact cylindrical shaped sample of rock obtained during drilling with a special coring bit. Although commonly narrow in diameter (e.g., 1-4" or 25-100 mm), it preserves a...

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Word of the Week – Drill Cuttings

Word of the Week – Drill Cuttings

Drill Cuttings Small chips of rocks (e.g., <1/8 inch or <3 mm) obtained during drilling with a rotary bit that are continuously returned to the surface by the circulation of mud....

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