Metrics details Lithosphere of cratons and orogens generally reacts differently to tectonic events Although these differences are mostly clear during the orogenic phases understanding how they respond to tectonic reactivation is still challenging we report the first detailed apatite fission-track (AFT) study pinpointing the gradual transition between cratonic and orogenic lithosphere using the case study of the São Francisco craton (SFC) and the adjacent Araçuaí-West Congo Orogen (AWCO) The collision that built the AWCO partially affected the inherited rift structures of the Paramirim Aulacogen embedded in the São Francisco-Congo paleocontinent Our data reveal a differential Phanerozoic exhumation between closely interspaced areas affected and not affected by the AWCO deformation Samples from the SFC present slow and protracted basement cooling during the Phanerozoic while samples from the orogen display rapid exhumation since the Eocene An intermediate ~ N–S zone of c.40 km shows lower magnitude basement cooling during the Cenozoic possibly because the propagation of AWCO deformation decreases towards the craton interior the Rio Pardo salient is the main reactive structure and probably results from the deformation of a master fault we show how the magnitude of Phanerozoic denudation may be deeply associated with previous events of lithosphere weakening The objective of our study is to gain deeper insights into the exhumation of the basement in an area of transition between the SFC and the AB during subsequent Phanerozoic tectonic events and verify how different types of lithosphere exert control on later basement exhumation the ED was etched using 40% HF for 40 min at 21 °C in order to reveal induced fission tracks continuous, undisturbed, and slow cooling from the Paleozoic onwards; identified in the northernmost samples (TJ 21–26); Paleozoic to Mesozoic fast to moderate cooling with subsequent, late c.50 °C cooling during the Eocene–present, as evidenced by samples from the Rio Pardo salient zone (TJ 09–16 and TJ 28–34); and continuous and slow cooling from the Paleozoic to the Cenozoic, followed by c.35 °C of rapid cooling during the Eocene–present, as observed for the southernmost samples (TJ02–09) and samples geographically between the Rio Pardo salient and sample site TJ 21 (TJ17–20). we can conclude that the cratonic region of the Paramirim Aulacogen inherits the rigidity from the SFC epirogenic uplift during the opening of the South Atlantic was mitigated as well as the erosional response to this process resulting in an almost stable thermal structure we suggest that during the Eocene to present likely partially contributing as a source of sediments to the above-mentioned deposits supporting the location of the master fault This final rapid cooling event most probably (partially) erased evidence from previous thermal events including signals from West Gondwana break-up around 130 Ma This latter event can however still be observed in three of our thermal history models (TJ 14–16) (a) AFT age distribution map of the study area identifying zones of tectonic reactivation with basement exhumation and stability. (b) Representative models for each zone and indication of the phases of Andean orogeny and West Gondwana break-up. The map was created using, ArcGIS 10.4.1 (https://www.esri.com) and Corel Draw Graphics Suite 2018 (http://www.coreldraw.com) AFT data from the São Francisco craton and adjoining Araçuaí belt in the Paramirim Aulacogen area (eastern Brazil) elucidate the differential behavior of the cratonic and non-cratonic lithosphere during the Phanerozoic exhumation of this region thermal history modelling of the basement rocks exhibits slow and protracted cooling during the Phanerozoic consistent with the rigid cratonic lithosphere of the São Francisco Craton in the interior of the Paramirim aulacogen inherited from the Ediacaran–Cambrian collision and it is considered mostly part of the Araçuaí Belt but with less penetrative deformation as to the orogen proper The thermochronological data proved to be highly useful in determining the decreasing magnitude of reactivation along the craton—orogen boundary and can be used as a tool to trace and distinguish cratonic areas weakened by later deformation events All data generated or analyzed during this study are included with the initial submission of the article in the form of Supplementary Information and are available on request Global 1° × 1° thermal model TC1 for the continental lithosphere: Implications for lithosphere secular evolution Kusznir, N. J. & Park, R. G. Continental lithosphere strength: The critical role of lower crustal deformation. In The Nature of the Lower Continental Crust (eds Dawson, J. B. et al.) 79–93 (The Geological Society, 1986). https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.1986.024.01.09 O Cráton do São Francisco e as Revelações Almeidianas ao Delimitá-lo Differential Phanerozoic evolution of cratonic and non-cratonic lithosphere from a thermochronological perspective: São Francisco Craton and marginal orogens (Brazil) A new scheme for the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean and the dissection of an Aptian salt basin Cruz, S. C. P. & Alkmim, F. F. The Paramirim Aulacogen. In São Francisco Craton, Eastern Brazil (eds Heilbron, M. et al.) 97–115 (Springer International Publishing, 2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-01715-0_6 Alkmim, F. et al. 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