Thermal histroy, denudation, uplift, and log-term landscape evolution of the Rwenzori Montains, Uganda

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The aim of the project is to quantify the thermal, uplift and denudation history of the Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda. The Rwenzori Mountains are a key area for rift-flank uplift in the East African Rift. Because of their significant height of about 5000 m the Rwenzori Mountains influence regional atmospheric circulation and thereby have a significant impact on the climate in central Africa. The project will combine the results of apatite fission-track and apatite (U-Th)/He thermochronology to establish the thermal, uplift and denudation history of this region. In part, this aim will be achieved by 2-D and 3-D thermokinematic modelling, integrating surface processes by using/customizing existing computer codes. Testing model solutions (i.e. predictions) obtained for the multidimensional parameter space (thermal parameters, uplift-, erosion rate, tectonic boundaries/ relative movements) against the real thermochronolgical data set, the most likely combinations of parameter values can be constrained. Most relevant deliverables for the RJFLE-project will be the (i) timing of onset of rapid uplift and (ii) spatial and temporal evolution of uplift and denudation rates.