Detrital apatite geochemistry and thermochronology from the Oligocene/Miocene Alpine foreland record the early exhumation of the Tauern Window

Abstract The early exhumation history of the Tauern Window in European Eastern Alps and its surface expression is poorly dated quantified, partly because thermochronological provenance information are sparse from Upper Austrian Northern Alpine Foreland Basin. For first time, we combine a single‐grain double‐dating approach (Apatite Fission Track U‐Pb dating) with trace‐element geochemistry analysis on same apatites to reconstruct late Oligocene/early Miocene Alps. results 22 samples Chattian Burdigalian sedimentary infill Basin were integrated 3D seismic‐reflection data set published stratigraphic reports. Our highly discriminative indicates an increasing proportion (from 6% 23%) Sr/Y values <0.1 up‐section amount 24% 38%) containing >1,000 ppm light rare‐earth elements time. number ages acceptable uncertainties increases 40% 59% up‐section, mostly Variscan/Permian ages, while grains (10%–27%) have Eocene or younger apatite fission track cooling ages. changes mirror increased sediment input ≥upper amphibolite‐facies metamorphic source age – probably Ötztal‐Bundschuh nappe system accompanied by rates indicated decreasing lag times. We attribute these response upright folding doming Penninic units future starting at 29–27 Ma. This period (0.3–0.6 mm/a) triggered Adriatic indentation along Giudicarie Fault System.