text: Xenon isotope geochemistry uses the abundance of xenon (Xe) isotopes and total xenon to investigate how Xe has been generated, transported, fractionated, and distributed in planetary systems. Xe has nine stable or very long-lived isotopes. Radiogenic Xe and fissiogenic Xe isotopes are of special interest in geochemical research. The radiogenic and fissiogenic properties can be used in deciphering the early chronology of Earth. Elemental Xe in the atmosphere is depleted and isotopically enriched in heavier isotopes relative to estimated solar abundances. The depletion and heavy isotopic enrichment can be explained by hydrodynamic escape to space that occurred in Earths early atmosphere. Differences in the Xe isotope distribution between the deep mantle (from Ocean Island Basalts, or OIBs), shallower Mid-ocean Ridge Basalts (MORBs), and the atmosphere can be used to deduce Earths history of formation and differentiation of the solid Earth into layers.