Les traces de fission dans l'apatite, un outil thermochronologique adapté à la mesure de la dénudation : panorama des connaissances actuelles/Apatite fission track thermochronology. Its potential in geomorphology: an overview

摘要

Abstract A brief presentation of the broad principles governing apatite fission track thermochronolgy, intended primarily for French speaking Earth scientists, is followed by a progress report on its specific potential in geomorphology. Quantitative estimates of denudation rates in the context of passive margins, active fold belts, cratonic interiors, terrigenous sedimentary basins as well as applications in tephrostratigraphy are reviewed, and some of the method's limitations with regard to historical geomorphology are discussed, thereby underlining the importance of using fission track studies alongside auxiliary field techniques.