Glacial catchment erosion from detrital zircon (U‐Th)/He thermochronology: Patagonian Andes

Abstract Alpine glacial erosion exerts a first‐order control on mountain topography and sediment production, but its mechanisms are poorly understood. Observational data capable of testing transport laws in models mostly lacking. New insights, however, can be gained from detrital tracer thermochronology. Detrital thermochronology works the premise that thermochronometer bedrock ages vary systematically with elevation, downstream samples used to infer source elevation sectors sediments. We analyze six new different grain sizes (sand pebbles) deposits modern river channel integrated 18 previously analyzed an transect Leones Valley, Northern Patagonian Icefield, Chile (46.7°S). present 622 zircon (U‐Th)/He (ZHe) single‐grain analyses 22 ZHe for two determine age reproducibility. Results suggest was focused at below Last Glacial Maximum neoglacial equilibrium line altitudes, supporting previous modeling studies. Furthermore, distributions (sand, might indicate differences mechanisms, including mass movements steep valley walls. Finally, our results highlight complications opportunities assessing glacigenic environments, such as dynamics transport, transient storage, final deposition, arise settings large glacio‐fluvial catchments.