James W. Jordan

129I/127I: a Puzzling Early Solar System Chronometer

Abstract We report I-Xe ages and other relevant xenon data for seven ordinary chondrites from H and L-groups of petrologic types 4-6, which were selected on the basis of minimum weathering and shock effects. Nevertheless, no chronological order with respect to the I-Xe ages exists among the different petrologic types. We demonstrate, however, that the degree to which the 1-Xe record is preserved in these chondrites, but not necessarily the age, is dependent on the thermal metamorphic history. In order to explain the lack of chronological order among the chondrites, spatiotemporal variations in the condensation-accretion process or inhomogeneities in the isotopic composition of iodine in the solar nebula is required.