Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Dec 2002
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002agufm.p71a0446d&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2002, abstract #P71A-0446
Mathematics
Logic
1899 General Or Miscellaneous, 5499 General Or Miscellaneous, 6225 Mars, 9800 General Or Miscellaneous
Scientific paper
Mars is a water-enriched planet theorized to have had Earth-like conditions during its embryonic stages of evolution (Early into Middle Noachian or > 3.8 GA). The Earth-like conditions include: (1) plate tectonism, (2) an active hydrosphere resulting in higher erosion rates and the presence of layered sedimentary deposits, and (3) a potential biosphere. Due to its smaller size and lower gravity, its thermal energy rapidly declined, sending the planet into a permanent monoplate regime. The Tharsis superplume, Elysium superplume, and structural discontinuities in the lithosphere are sites of long-lived energy releases and hydrothermal activity. Furthermore, as its atmosphere thinned and cooled, and water was lost to hydrodynamic escape, the Earth-like hydrological cycle transitioned into a persisting cold desert climate, approximating the present-day climate of the Dry Valleys in Antarctica. Stratigraphic, hydrogeomorphic, and paleotectonic information indicate an active Mars (e.g., late-stage superplume activity) that experienced punctuated periods of magmatic-driven hydrologic activity long after the Earth-like hydrologic regime had ended. Existing geologic, geomorphic, geophysical, topographic, impact cratering, spectral, and elemental information collectively point to a prime target site for future exploration that has the potential to yield significant geologic, paleoclimatic, paleohydrologic, and exobiologic information. The Northwestern Slope Valleys (NSVs) region archives traits similar to terrestrial field sites where the processes associated with: (1) fluvial, eolian, and hydrothermal activity, (2) modification due to landslides and glaciers, and (3) the formation of diverse rock assemblages (e.g., provenances include Noachian Thaumasia highlands mountain range and Europe-sized sedimentary basin and Noachian-Amazonian basaltic and possibly silica-enriched volcanoes and lava flow fields) are recorded. The region is especially remarkable since it encapsulates at least three distinct paleohydrologic regimes: Noachian-Early Hesperian NSVs flooding (~108 - 1010 m3/sec), Late Hesperian-Early Amazonian Mangala Valles flooding (~107 m3/sec), Amazonian sapping channel formation (~103 m3/sec), and recent groundwater seeps (<102 m3/sec), all of which expose deposits for in-situ study and sample return. Terrestrial analogs include: (1) Wet Beaver Creek, Arizona, which reveals intriguing geologic, hydrogeologic, and geomorphic similarities to a well-developed martian sapping channel, Abus Vallis, and (2) the Gray Mountain FIDO rover test site, which records diverse geological terrains similar to what might be encountered at the proposed NSVs prime target site.
Anderson Robert C.
Baker Victor R.
Dohm James M.
Ferris Justin Claus
Hare Trent M.
No associations
LandOfFree
The Northwestern Slope Valleys Region, Mars: A Prime Target for the Future Exploration 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 The Northwestern Slope Valleys Region, Mars: A Prime Target for the Future Exploration of Mars, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Northwestern Slope Valleys Region, Mars: A Prime Target for the Future Exploration of Mars will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1892332