Cosmic-ray-produced neon and helium in the summit lavas of Maui
The identification of cosmic-ray-produced Ne-21c in addition to He-3c, components attributed to cosmic ray-induced spallation reactions, are reported in gases extracted by fusion of olivines and clinopyroxenes after vacuum-crushing. The observed (He-3/Ne-21)c ratios and the ratio of Ne-21c in olivine to that in clinopyroxene are consistent with an in situ origin of He-3c and Ne-21c by cosmic-ray spallation reactions. These components could be important for interpreting helium isotopic data in terrestrial reservoirs. Geophysical applications could include determinations of erosion rates and exposure histories of terrestrial rocks.