Geology of Xanthe Terra outflow channels and the Mars Pathfinder landing site

Mathematics – Logic

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

42

Planetology: Solar System Objects

Scientific paper

The Mars Pathfinder landing site (MPLS) was selected for its location at the mouths of Ares and Tiu Valles outflow channels on Mars, where sediments from a variety of geologic units could have accumulated in a lacustrine environment. Recent geologic mapping at 1:2M scale of the Xanthe Terra channels and Chryse Planitia near MPLS reveals a progression of fluvial erosion and deposition throughout the Hesperian period. From the geology, the watersheds of the channels were inferred, and a sequence of paleogeologic maps was produced. Three outflow episodes are recognized: (1) broad sheetwash during the early Hesperian, emanating from eastern Valles Marineris and equatorial chaos regions, with initial erosion into highland plateau basement, (2) early channel formation, and (3) subsequent flooding which deepened the channels to their current morphologies. The most recent flooding issued from Simud and Tiu Valles during the late Hesperian, indicated by stratigraphic superposition, striations along the floor of the channel, and the orientation of streamlined islands in the flood direction. This suggests that surface sediments deposited at MPLS are most likely to have come from these channels, and to a lesser extent from Ares Vallis. A ranking scheme was developed to assess the potential origins for the sediments found at MPLS. The most abundant materials are inferred to have come from the Noachian and Hesperian highland plains and reworked sediments from previous floods. Underlying materials from earlier floods could also be found at MPLS as ejecta from nearby impact craters.

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

Geology of Xanthe Terra outflow channels and the Mars Pathfinder landing site 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 Geology of Xanthe Terra outflow channels and the Mars Pathfinder landing site, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Geology of Xanthe Terra outflow channels and the Mars Pathfinder landing site will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-891213

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