The Sm-Nd system is useful for determining crystallization ages of igneous and metamorphic rocks. It has proven especially valuable for dating mafic and ultramafic rocks that are, in general, difficult to date using other methods.The Sm-Nd system is useful for determining crystallization ages of igneous and metamorphic rocks. It has proven especially valuable for dating mafic and ultramafic rocks

What isotope is used to date rocks?

carbon-14 dating Radiocarbon dating is also simply called carbon-14 dating. Carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope of carbon, with a half-life of 5,730 years (which is very short compared with the above isotopes), and decays into nitrogen.

Why radiometric methods are preferred for age determination of rocks?

Such tracers can be used to determine the origin of magmas and the chemical evolution of the Earth. Short-lived isotopes (Isotopes made during nucleosynthesis that have nearly completely decayed away) can give information on the time elapsed between nucleosynthesis and Earth Formation.