Combined bedrock and detrital thermochronometry: a new approach to understand the evolution of drainage basins

Abstract

This project aims to develop and exploit a new strategy to constrain the thermal histories of rocks over geological time. Such thermal histories provide unique information on the timing, rates and duration of fundamental geological processes. The analytical methods used are known- as thermochronometry, relying OM temperature sensitive dating methods. Here we propose a novel combination of sampling and modelling approaches to maximize the information retrievable from individual drainage basins. In particular we will combine bedrock (in-situ) sampling at different elevations in a drainage basin with detrital sampling using recent sediment at the outlet of the basin. This requires efficient analytical procedures to produce sufficient data and new modelling tools to allow robust inference of thermal histories. The proposed collaboration will focus on (I) sharing of analytical expertise (from Rennes to Sao Paulo), (II) development and application of new modelling software. (AU)