Uplift, denudation, and their causes and constraints over geological timescales

We define uplift and denudation, then review the basic principles underlying the mechanisms for producing uplift, and the methodologies used to quantify the geological timescale denudation history of uplifted regions. Uplift is represents work done against gravity, and does not necessarily lead immediately to rapid denudation. The causes of uplift can be categorised according to the principal driving mechanism – stress, thermal or gravitational factor, although all three can operate to varying degrees. Simple formulations and examples. are presented to demonstrate the magnitude of uplift in various situations. The magnitude of denudation over geological timescales is quantified through various methods, which are sensitive to depth, pressure or temperature. These include cosmogenic surface exposure dating, thermochronology (apatite fission track analysis, (U-Th)/He dating), porosity-depth relationship (overcompaction), and by comparing predicted subsidence to the observed subsidence history.