Glass laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry analysis methods, precision, and accuracy data for tephra studies in Alaska

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Frequently anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title:
Glass laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry analysis methods, precision, and accuracy data for tephra studies in Alaska
Abstract:
Glass laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry analysis methods, precision, and accuracy data for tephra studies in Alaska, Techniques and Methods 1, reports the analytical conditions, standard reference material (SRM) results, and preferred post-processing methodologies for laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) measurements supporting tephra studies in Alaska between 2018 and 2024. We evaluate the long-term accuracy and precision of our methodologies by comparing our calculated SRM concentrations to the Geological and Environmental Reference Materials database (GeoReM) preferred concentration values for the following SRMs: BCR-2G, BHVO-2G, ATHO-G, NIST-612, GSD-1G, and GSE-1G. We show that our LA-ICP-MS methodologies produce accurate and consistent measurements across numerous analytical sessions, even when instrumentation changed. Overall, these results indicate that Alaska tephra matrix glass measurements, like SRM measurements, are accurate, precise, and comparable between analytical sessions. These data and report are available from the DGGS website: http://doi.org/10.14509/31471.
Supplemental_Information: 
tm001_icp-ms:    Individual secondary standard reference material (SRM) analyses, and summary statistics for SRMs measured during tephra matrix glass laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) analytical sessions.
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Lubbers, Jordan, and Loewen, Matthew, 2025, Glass laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry analysis methods, precision, and accuracy data for tephra studies in Alaska: Techniques and Methods TM 1, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 20 p
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -178.817961
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -104.060291
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 71.277684
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 43.359849
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 2024
    Ending_Date: 2025
    Currentness_Reference:
    ground condition
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: csv
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      This is a point data set.
    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.0000001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.0000001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in decimal degrees. The horizontal datum used is NAD83.
      The ellipsoid used is GRS 80.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222101.
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
    tm001_icp-ms.csv, tm001_icp-ms_data_dictionary.csv
    Individual secondary standard reference material (SRM) analyses, and summary statistics for SRMs measured during tephra matrix glass laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) analytical sessions. (Source: DGGS, AVO)
    ATHO_G_accuracy_stats
    Detailed statistics (count, mean, standard deviation, min, quartiles, max, median, skew, kurtosis) for all ATHO-G accuracy values. (Source: this report) tm001_icp_ms_data_dictionary
    BCR_2G_accuracy_stats
    Detailed statistics (count, mean, standard deviation, min, quartiles, max, median, skew, kurtosis) for all BCR-2G accuracy values. (Source: this report) tm001_icp_ms_data_dictionary
    BHVO_2G_accuracy_stats
    Detailed statistics (count, mean, standard deviation, min, quartiles, max, median, skew, kurtosis) for all BHVO-2G accuracy values. (Source: this report) tm001_icp_ms_data_dictionary
    Conditions
    Analytical conditions for each unique session (i.e., week-long series of analyses). Uses MethodID column to link to SRM concentrations and SRM accuracies sheets. (Source: this report) tm001_icp_ms_data_dictionary
    GEOREM
    Table of GeoReM preferred values for all SRMs analyzed in this report used to calculate concentrations. (Source: this report) tm001_icp_ms_data_dictionary
    GSD_1G_accuracy_stats
    Detailed statistics (count, mean, standard deviation, min, quartiles, max, median, skew, kurtosis) for all GSD-1G accuracy values. (Source: this report) tm001_icp_ms_data_dictionary
    NIST_612_accuracy_stats
    Detailed statistics (count, mean, standard deviation, min, quartiles, max, median, skew, kurtosis) for all National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)-612 accuracy values. (Source: this report) tm001_icp_ms_data_dictionary
    SRM_accuracies
    Calculated accuracies (100 x measured/accepted values) for all concentrations. (Source: this report) tm001_icp_ms_data_dictionary
    SRM_accuracy_stats
    Table of mean accuracy and standard deviation values for each SRM (Source: this report) tm001_icp_ms_data_dictionary
    SRM_concentrations
    Calculated concentrations for all standard reference material (SRM) analyses used in this report. (Source: this report) tm001_icp_ms_data_dictionary

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
    We would like to acknowledge and express our gratitude to Adam Kent, Chris Russo, Andy Ungerer, and Chuck Lewis for their mentorship and numerous discussions about LA-ICP-MS methodologies over the years. This article has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication consistent with USGS Fundamental Science Practices (pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1367). We appreciate reviews provided by Chris Russo and Jay Thompson and metadata review by Simone Montayne. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
    GIS Manager
    3354 College Rd
    Fairbanks, AK
    USA

    907-451-5020 (voice)
    dggsgis@alaska.gov
    Hours_of_Service: 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays

Why was the data set created?

This work allows us to better correlate tephra units from Alaska volcanoes throughout the Alaska-Aleutian arc, ultimately enhancing our understanding of spatiotemporal patterns of volcanism in the region. This enhanced understanding will aid in refining volcanic hazard classification and response strategies.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
    Date: 2024 (process 1 of 1)
    Analytical methods - Unknown tephra samples were mounted with epoxy in 25 mm-diameter rounds (hereafter called round mounts), progressively polished with diamond grit (to 1 um) with a finishing polish of either colloidal silica (to 0.05 µm) or alumina suspension (0.1 um). Carbon coats, added previously for EPMA analysis, were removed prior to analysis using an alumina suspension polish. All analyses were performed at the W.M. Keck Collaboratory for Plasma Spectrometry at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. During this comparison's timeframe, multiple laser ablation-quadrupole mass spectrometer combinations were used, ultimately leading to the analytical conditions outlined in table 1 of the accompanying report. Total ablation time for all measurements is approximately 20-30 seconds, excluding a 20-30 second delay prior to ablation that is used to establish mass spectrometer background counts and a 10-30 second washout period following ablation and prior to starting data collection on the next sample. Prior to most analyses (apart from those analyzed in May and October 2022), analyzed spots were cleaned using 2-4 pre-ablation cleaning pulses at a larger diameter spot size. Elemental concentrations for all measurements were calculated from raw signals using the equations outlined in Longerich and others (1996) implemented by the Python package lasertram (Lubbers, 2024). All analytes are collected using a 10 ms dwell time, and 29Si was used as the internal standard. SiO2 concentrations for all SRM measurements are the preferred GeoReM values (Jochum and others, 2007a, version 8). GSE-1G, a synthetic glass doped with ~100s ppm trace elements (Guillong and others, 2005), was used as the primary calibration standard for analyses between 2018 and 2022, and GSD-1G (similar to GSE-1G but doped with ~10s ppm trace elements) was used as the primary calibration standard from 2023 to 2024. See the accompanying report and data tables for additional details.
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
    Cameron, C.E., Crass, S.W., and Staff, AVO, 2022, Geologic Database of Information on Volcanoes in Alaska (GeoDIVA): Digital Data Series DDS 20, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Cameron, C.E., Mulliken, K.M., Crass, S.W., Schaefer, J.R., and Wallace, K.L., 2019, Alaska Volcano Observatory geochemical database, version 2: Digital Data Series DDS 8 v. 2, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 22 p
    Cameron, C.E., Crass, S.W., and Staff, AVO, 2022, Geologic Database of Information on Volcanoes in Alaska (GeoDIVA): Digital Data Series DDS 20, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Cameron, C.E., Mulliken, K.M., Crass, S.W., Schaefer, J.R., and Wallace, K.L., 2019, Alaska Volcano Observatory geochemical database, version 2: Digital Data Series DDS 8 v. 2, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 22 p
    Loewen, M.W., Wallace, K.L., Lubbers, Jordan, Ruth, Dawn, Izbekov, P.E., Larsen, J.F., and Graham, Nathan, 2023, Glass electron microprobe analyses methods, precision and accuracy for tephra studies in Alaska: Miscellaneous Publication MP 174, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 20 p
    Nye, C.J., Beget, J.E., Layer, P.W., Mangan, M.T., McConnell, V.S., McGimsey, R.G., Miller, T.P., Moore, R.B., and Stelling, P.L., 2018, Geochemistry of some quaternary lavas from the Aleutian Arc and Mt. Wrangell: Raw Data File RDF 2018-1, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 29 p
    Loewen, M.W., Wallace, K.L., Lubbers, Jordan, Ruth, Dawn, Izbekov, P.E., Larsen, J.F., and Graham, Nathan, 2023, Glass electron microprobe analyses methods, precision and accuracy for tephra studies in Alaska: Miscellaneous Publication MP 174, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 20 p
    Nye, C.J., Beget, J.E., Layer, P.W., Mangan, M.T., McConnell, V.S., McGimsey, R.G., Miller, T.P., Moore, R.B., and Stelling, P.L., 2018, Geochemistry of some quaternary lavas from the Aleutian Arc and Mt. Wrangell: Raw Data File RDF 2018-1, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 29 p

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
    The accompanying report and data tables provide a comprehensive discussion of processing methods. When applicable, errors are reported in the data tables. These data are being released in the DGGS Techniques and Methods series, which consists of content that describes approved techniques and methods related to the collection, storage, visualization, analysis, or interpretation of scientific data. May include items such as data standards, data collection guidelines, data creation guidelines, manuals, process documentation, analytical models, or software documentation. These reports may or may not have been reviewed for technical merit.
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    Not applicable
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    This data release is complete.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    Not applicable

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
Access_Constraints:
This report, map, and/or dataset is available directly from the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (see contact information below).
Use_Constraints:
Any hard copies or published datasets utilizing these datasets shall clearly indicate their source. If the user has modified the data in any way, the user is obligated to describe the types of modifications the user has made. The user specifically agrees not to misrepresent these datasets, nor to imply that changes made by the user were approved by the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys. The State of Alaska makes no express or implied warranties (including warranties for merchantability and fitness) with respect to the character, functions, or capabilities of the electronic data or products or their appropriateness for any user's purposes. In no event will the State of Alaska be liable for any incidental, indirect, special, consequential, or other damages suffered by the user or any other person or entity whether from the use of the electronic services or products or any failure thereof or otherwise. In no event will the State of Alaska's liability to the Requestor or anyone else exceed the fee paid for the electronic service or product.
  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
    State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
    3354 College Road
    Fairbanks, AK
    USA

    907-451-5020 (voice)
    907-451-5050 (FAX)
    dggspubs@alaska.gov
    Hours_of_Service: 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays
    Contact_Instructions:
    Please view our website (http://www.dggs.alaska.gov) for the latest information on available data. Please contact us using the e-mail address provided above when possible.
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? TM 1
  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
    The State of Alaska makes no express or implied warranties (including warranties of merchantability and fitness) with respect to the character, function, or capabilities of the electronic services or products or their appropriateness for any user's purposes. In no event will the State of Alaska be liable for any incidental, indirect, special, consequential, or other damages suffered by the user or any other person or entity, whether from the use of the electronic services or products, any failure thereof, or otherwise, and in no event will the State of Alaska's liability to the requestor or anyone else exceed the fee paid for the electronic service or product.
  4. How can I download or order the data?

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 27-Jan-2025
Metadata author:
Simone Montayne
3354 College Road
Fairbanks, AK
USA

907-451-5020 (voice)
Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
Metadata extensions used:
Generated by mp version 2.9.50 on Mon Jan 27 17:34:41 2025