The 'lag time' between a detrital zircon's crystallization age and its depositional age reflects how quickly source rocks are eroded and their sediment deposited after the zircon-bearing magma crystallizes. Tectonic settings with active, young volcanism combined with rapid erosion and nearby deposition minimize this lag.
In a subduction zone setting, volcanic arcs continuously produce fresh, young zircon-bearing igneous rocks. Because these volcanic edifices are actively uplifted and eroded, and adjacent...
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