Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Apr 2003
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2003eaeja....11574m&link_type=abstract
EGS - AGU - EUG Joint Assembly, Abstracts from the meeting held in Nice, France, 6 - 11 April 2003, abstract #11574
Mathematics
Logic
Scientific paper
Thera Macula is an approximately 140 by 80 km elliptical feature of the southern hemisphere of Europa. Our morphological analysis shows two types of terrains. The north west part is weakly disturbed and only some cuesta-like structures are recognized. Nevertheless, the south east part looks like a chaotic area similar to Conamara Chaos with ice overflowing on the southern margin. The chaotic terrains have a lower elevation than the weakly disturbed terrains. Both units are separated by a steep scarp cutting across the middle of Thera Macula. This dichotomy may reflect the processes by which Thera was build. Detailed observation of the chaotic area reveals the presence of little sinuous scarps limiting terraces lying at different elevations. We have calculated the cumulated height along a N-S profile and deduced a mean regional slope ranging from 0.2% to 0.8% along the entire profile. On the basis of these morphological arguments, we purpose an original model for the emplacement of Thera Macula. The rise of ductile or liquid material beneath an inclined brittle icy crust may induce vertical upward, doming, and a median fracture. Then, the soft material may overflow alongside the regional slope and the dome may collapse as the reservoir empties out. In order to constrain this emplacement model, we are currently performing numerical experiments of thermal convection for a fluid with a strongly temperature-dependent viscosity, including tidal heating and damage rheology. Preliminary results suggest that, although a thick stagnant lid forms at the top of a convective ice layer, damaged icy material in this rigid lid permits the rise of warm ductile ice at shallow depth. This could explain both doming and softening of the crustal material.
Mercier Eric
Mével Loïc
Sotin Ch.
Tobie Gabriel
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