Using the Earth as a guide to martian mass movement processes: From form to process

Details Using the Earth as a guide to martian mass movement processes: From form to process Using the Earth as a guide to martian mass movement processes: From form to process

Dec 2011

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011agufm.p43c1685l&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2011, abstract #P43C-1685

Mathematics

Logic

[5415] Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets / Erosion And Weathering, [6225] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Mars

Scientific paper

The discovery of gully features on Mars has led to renewed interest in hillslope processes on that planet, in particular mass movement and the morphologies that it produces. Mass movement is a collection of gravity-driven processes that act to move materials down a hillslope. Here, we examine how mass movements on hillslopes may be expected to differ on Earth and Mars as the result of gravity differences between these planets. Downslope movement of unconsolidated materials is generally controlled by the bulk shear strength of these materials. Although the relationship between gravity and shear strength is largely dependent on variables that are independent of gravity, the lower gravity on Mars is expected to produce some systematic changes in mass movement behaviors that may in turn create morphological features that are observably different from their terrestrial counterparts. After scaling for gravity and modifying empirically derived relationships, we may expect the following differences on martian hillslopes when compared to their terrestrial counterparts: ==On Mars, hillslopes may have steeper angles of repose in fine grained (< ~2 mm) materials, even when dry. No change in angle of repose is expected for larger particles; ==An increase in soil moisture content (e.g., excess pore pressure) is expected to weaken unconsolidated slope materials more on Mars for a particular regolith type, which in turn may produce --An increase in creep rates for a given pore pressure, and --An increase in effectiveness of frost heave to transport materials downslope; ==Processes triggered by saturation may occur at lower pore pressures on Mars; --A smaller amount of fluid is needed to achieve failure; ==Shorter runout lengths are expected for rapid mass movements; ==On Mars, overland flow will exert a proportionally lower shear stress on slope materials; --In cohesive materials, the same volume of water will detach sediments of smaller sizes. On Earth, mass movement processes may be directly observed and measured as they occur, whereas on Mars only the resultant landforms may be studied at present. By understanding how martian hillslope processes are expected to be modified by lower gravity, the interpretation of martian landforms may be greatly aided. Examples of observations that support some of these predicted differences will be presented, with a focus on saturation-triggered events in unconsolidated materials.

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