Terrestrial analogs and thermal models for Martian flood lavas

Details Terrestrial analogs and thermal models for Martian flood lavas Terrestrial analogs and thermal models for Martian flood lavas

Jun 2000

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000jgr...10515027k&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 105, Issue E6, p. 15027-15050

Physics

104

Planetology: Solid Surface Planets: Volcanism, Planetology: Solar System Objects: Mars, Volcanology: Lava Rheology And Morphology, Volcanology: Planetary Volcanism

Scientific paper

The recent flood lavas on Mars appear to have a characteristic ``platy-ridged'' surface morphology different from that inferred for most terrestrial continental flood basalt flows. The closest analog we have found is a portion of the 1783-1784 Laki lava flow in Iceland that has a surface that was broken up and transported on top of moving lava during major surges in the eruption rate. We suggest that a similar process formed the Martian flood lava surfaces and attempt to place constraints on the eruption parameters using thermal modeling. Our conclusions from this modeling are (1) in order to produce flows >1000 km long with flow thicknesses of a few tens of meters, the thermophysical properties of the lava should be similar to fluid basalt, and (2) the average eruption rates were probably of the order of 104m3/s, with the flood-like surges having flow rates of the order of 105-106m3/s. We also suggest that these high eruption rates should have formed huge volumes of pyroclastic deposits which may be preserved in the Medusae Fossae Formation, the radar ``stealth'' region, or even the polar layered terrains.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Terrestrial analogs and thermal models for Martian flood lavas does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Terrestrial analogs and thermal models for Martian flood lavas, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Terrestrial analogs and thermal models for Martian flood lavas will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1350813