Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-901
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-901
07 Mar 2025
 | 07 Mar 2025

Technical Note: Incorporating topographic deflection effects into thermal history modelling

Richard A. Ketcham

Abstract. This contribution describes a set of equations and relations to calculate accurate cooling paths through the 2D temperature field of an exhuming region with periodic topography. A 1D model adequately captures the time-varying component of the system, making the computation efficient. A series of 2D finite element models demonstrate how temperatures below the periodic mid-slope, or mean topography, can be mapped to those below ridges and valleys, and how these transitions vary with topographic period and amplitude and the ratio of the near-surface geotherm to the atmospheric lapse rate. These new calculations are implemented into HeFTy to support multi-sample modelling of samples collected along topographic profiles, particularly for terranes with long-lived topography that exhumed through an inflected temperature field.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

18 Sep 2025
Technical note: Incorporating topographic deflection effects into thermal history modelling
Richard A. Ketcham
Geochronology, 7, 449–458, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-7-449-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-7-449-2025, 2025
Short summary
Richard A. Ketcham

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-901', Jean Braun, 26 May 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Richard A. Ketcham, 19 Jun 2025
      • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-901', Jean Braun, 20 Jun 2025
        • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Richard A. Ketcham, 21 Jun 2025
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-901', Christoph Glotzbach, 25 Jun 2025
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC3', Richard A. Ketcham, 09 Jul 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-901', Jean Braun, 26 May 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Richard A. Ketcham, 19 Jun 2025
      • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-901', Jean Braun, 20 Jun 2025
        • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Richard A. Ketcham, 21 Jun 2025
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-901', Christoph Glotzbach, 25 Jun 2025
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC3', Richard A. Ketcham, 09 Jul 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (further review by editor) (20 Jul 2025) by Pieter Vermeesch
AR by Richard A. Ketcham on behalf of the Authors (28 Jul 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (29 Jul 2025) by Pieter Vermeesch
ED: Publish as is (01 Aug 2025) by Georgina King (Editor)
AR by Richard A. Ketcham on behalf of the Authors (01 Aug 2025)

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

18 Sep 2025
Technical note: Incorporating topographic deflection effects into thermal history modelling
Richard A. Ketcham
Geochronology, 7, 449–458, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-7-449-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-7-449-2025, 2025
Short summary
Richard A. Ketcham

Model code and software

HeFTy v.2.2.0 installer Richard A. Ketcham https://www.dropbox.com/t/aMk8eN7fr65zJVMy

Richard A. Ketcham

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Short summary
This technical note develops and demonstrates an improvement in how to calculate the temperatures experienced by rocks as they come to the Earth surface due to erosion in mountainous regions. The solution is fast and flexible, and works even in areas where erosion rates have varied through time. The new method has been added to software used to interpret geochronologic data to help discern the history of mountain ranges.
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