Resolving denudational histories in orogenic belts with apatite fission-track thermochronology and structural data: An example from southern Spain

Research Article| July 01, 1997 Resolving denudational histories in orogenic belts with apatite fission-track thermochronology and structural data: An example from southern Spain Christopher Johnson Christopher Johnson 1Fission Track Research Group, Research School of Geological and Geophysical Sciences, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Christopher Johnson 1Fission Track Research Group, Research School of Geological and Geophysical Sciences, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1997) 25 (7): 623–626. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1997)025<0623:RDHIOB>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Christopher Johnson; Resolving denudational histories in orogenic belts with apatite fission-track thermochronology and structural data: An example from southern Spain. Geology 1997;; 25 (7): 623–626. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1997)025<0623:RDHIOB>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Interpreting apatite fission-track thermochronology (AFTT) data obtained from orogenic belts presents a considerable challenge because of the complexity of denudational processes operating in this tectonic setting. An approach which integrates kinematic, foliation, and thermochronologic data is advocated, and an example from southern Spain is used as an illustration. AFTT ages from the Sierra Nevada are negatively correlated with their elevation precluding interpretation in terms of simple erosive denudation. However, when additional structural data is included in the analysis, a complex denudation history is obtained. An initial phase of tectonic denudation was responsible for the cooling that produced the oldest apparent ages. Thereafter, folding accompanied by differential erosive denudation caused cooling of samples inferred to have been as much as 4.5 km below the detachment. The second phase of cooling began in the late Miocene–early Pliocene. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.