Phrase guide

Wetherill diagram

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

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Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A type of concordia diagram, used in the context of uranium–lead dating, whose axes are the ratios 206Pb/238U and 237Pb/235U.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: geography, geology, natural-sciences

Examples

  • The "x" and "y" axes of the Wetherill diagram are the quantities of the respective end (lead) isotopes of the actinium series and uranium series decay chains, each adjusted and expressed as a ratio to the amount remaining of the corresponding start (uranium) isotope.
  • In the Wetherill diagram, no isotope is found on both axes, allowing the two decay schemes to be evaluated independently.
  • 2020, Myint Myat Phyo, et al., U—Pb Dating of Zircon and Zirconolite Inclusions in Marble-Hosted Gem-Quality Ruby and Spinel from Mogok, Myanmar, Frederick Lin Sutherland, Khin Zaw (editors), Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Ruby, MDPI Books, page 115, Figure 4. Wetherill diagrams showing wide range of U-Pb age of (a) zircon inclusion in gem-quality ruby and spinel, (b) accessory zircon in Bawlongyi marble, (c) zirconolite inclusion in ruby from Mansin and (d) zirconolite intergrown with zircon in Bawlongyi marble.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Named after American physicist George Wetherill. From circa 1956.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: diagramme de Wetherill — type of concordia diagram
  • German: Wetherill-Diagramm — type of concordia diagram