Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Dec 2001
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2001agufm.p22a0534p&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2001, abstract #P22A-0534
Mathematics
Logic
1824 Geomorphology (1625), 5415 Erosion And Weathering, 6225 Mars
Scientific paper
High-resolution Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) images from the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft have revealed erosional and depositional features on Martian debris slopes that appear to be of geologically recent origin. Channeled debris slopes occur on Earth in a variety of settings and are formed by geomorphic processes ranging from groundwater sapping to dry mass transport. The resulting landforms exhibit subtle differences that may be diagnostic of the varied processes responsible for their formation. Inferences about debris slope evolution on Mars must be based on a thorough understanding of links between process and form on terrestrial debris slopes and the best available estimates of Martian debris slope morphology. MOC imagery and elevation data from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) permit quantification of the morphologic characteristics of channeled and unchanneled Martian debris slopes. We report the results of an analysis of images and elevation profiles in the Phaethontis region (150-180° W, 30-60° S), including measurements of debris slope location, gradient, aspect, relief, and longitudinal profile; channel dimensions; and qualitative observations on debris slope development and the geologic context of channels. The occurrence of channels is correlated most strongly with debris slope aspect and gradient. Nearly all observed channels occur on pole-facing slopes (90° < \theta < 270° ). Mean gradients of channeled debris slopes define a negatively skewed distribution with an approximate range of 5° to 30° . This distribution has a higher median and a more negative skew than that of unchanneled slope gradients, implying that slopes bearing channels are generally steeper than unchanneled ones. The occurrence of channels on many slopes with gradients well below the dynamic friction angle is difficult to explain by invoking dry mass wasting processes. These constraints on the morphologic and contextual characteristics of debris slopes on Mars are a necessary step toward a mechanistic understanding of the processes responsible for channel formation in the recent geologic past. They will also be used to select appropriate terrestrial analogs for which topographic form can be definitively linked to geomorphic processes.
Dietrich William E.
Howard Alan D.
Perron Taylor J.
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