氦已被提出作为铀矿床,烃类(油气矿床)和地热能源勘查中的探途元素,作为断层和裂隙的指示元素以及有可能作为地震预报的工具。其理论基础是:~(238)U到~(206)Pb的蜕变过程中,八个~4He原子是α辐射的中间产物。相类似地,在~(332)Th蜕变为~(208)Pb的过程中,产生六个~4He的原子。某些常见的稀土元素Ce、Nd和Sm的同位素也产生α辐射,但它们不大可能给出可以检测的氦 Helium has been proposed as an excursion element in uranium deposits, hydrocarbons (hydrocarbon deposits) and geothermal energy exploration as an indicator of faults and fissures and as a potential tool for earthquake prediction. The theoretical basis is that during the transformation from ~ (238) U to ~ (206) Pb, eight ~ 4He atoms are the intermediates of α radiation. Similarly, in the process of decay of ~ (332) Th into ~ (208) Pb, six ~ 4He atoms are produced. The isotopes of some of the more common rare earth elements Ce, Nd and Sm also produce alpha radiation, but they are less likely to give detectable helium