Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Dec 2002
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002agufm.p71a0444d&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2002, abstract #P71A-0444
Mathematics
Logic
5415 Erosion And Weathering, 5464 Remote Sensing, 5475 Tectonics (8149), 5480 Volcanism (8450), 8450 Planetary Volcanism (5480)
Scientific paper
The Altiplano-Puna Plateau of the Central Andes of Bolivia has experienced a climatic and geologic evolution that has resulted in an enticing array of potential Martian analog geologic environments and features. Elevated ~3 ? 4km above the adjacent Atacama desert, the Altiplano-Puna is the highest plateau in the world associated with extensive volcanism; it is second only to Tibet in height and extent. The high elevation adds extreme cold, wind, and lower atmospheric pressure to a hyper-arid climate making this region a compelling analog environment for Mars. The plateau is dominated by the Altiplano basin, which developed as a major intermontane basin since at least 25Ma. This is flanked by major volcanic provinces to the east and south. To the south is the Altiplano-Puna Volcanic Complex (APVC) where regionally extensive ignimbrite sheets and associated eruptive centers are amongst the largest known volcanic features in the world. The region has proven to be an excellent natural laboratory for remote sensing and field-based studies of volcanism. The extreme cold, wind, and the wide diurnal temperature range, results in geomorphic expressions dominated by physical weathering and aeolian erosion. These factors make this region one of the premier analog environments for Martian features like Amazonis Planitia, and Hadriaca, Alba, and Tyrrhena paterae, as well as the enigmatic Medusa Fossae Formation (MFF) materials. Large ignimbrite shields, are prominent features of volcanic geology of the plateau and are the subject of an ongoing terrestrial analog study for the MFF. The Altiplano basin preserves a long Pleistocene lake history recorded in a well-preserved lake shore geomorphology consisting of both erosional and depositional features. These features are easily identified and studied in the field and on remotely sensed images and may lend valuable insight into the debate over putative paleoshorelines in the northern plains of Mars. Throughout the basin are several smaller volcanic features (maars, cinder cones, buttes) and rare large composite cones. These monogenetic and polygenetic features represent potential analogs to smaller volcanic features on Mars. We suggest that four major science themes of critical relevance to Mars can be addressed in this region. 1) The geomorphology, volcanology, and remote sensing of large-scale volcanic deposits (ignimbrites) and associated eruptive centers; 2) Physical weathering, erosion, and depositional features in cold deserts dominated by volcanic deposits; 3) The geomorphic expression and features of a major paleolake basin; and 4) The geomorphology, volcanology, and remote sensing of small-scale volcanic phenomonena
Bills Bruce G.
Byrnes Jeffrey M.
Crown David A.
de Silva Shanaka L.
Jimenez Noelia
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