Comments on the gravity and topography of Mars

Physics – Geophysics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

3

Earth (Planet), Mars (Planet), Planetary Gravitation, Topography, Earth Gravitation, Gravitational Fields, Gravity Anomalies, Lithosphere, Power Spectra, Space Exploration, Mars, Gravity, Topography, Comparisons, Gravity Fields, Lithosphere, Thickness, Geophysics, Density, Anomalies, Crust, Stress, Harmonics, Isostasy, Tharsis Region, Mantle, Earth, Data, Spectrum, Shear

Scientific paper

The long-wavelength variations in Martian and terrestrial potential and topography are compared in an attempt to understand the origin of the Martian gravitational field and to estimate the average thickness of the Martian lithosphere. The gravitational and topographic power spectra of Mars are observed to contain more power in the low-degree harmonics than those of earth, in accordance with the way stresses vary between planets, and to exhibit a positive correlation for low degrees. Considerations of the correlation of gravity with topography and isostatic compensation lead to the conclusion that a lithosphere 200 to 300 km thick can support density anomalies required to explain the observed potential for degrees greater than three, without stresses exceeding those associated with the earth's topography. Lower degree harmonics (two or three) of the gravitation and topography are considered to describe essentially the Tharsis plateau, which requires a lithospheric thickness of 400 km or an as yet undeterminable alternative support mechanism.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Comments on the gravity and topography of Mars 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 Comments on the gravity and topography of Mars, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Comments on the gravity and topography of Mars will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1388254

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.