Other
Scientific paper
Sep 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009dps....41.3607r&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #41, #36.07
Other
Scientific paper
The Earth-like appearance of the surface of Titan is due in large part to the presence at all latitudes of fluvial channels. These are presumed to be formed by the precipitation and runoff of methane rainfall, a process that may be ongoing. A study of the surface materials, landforms, and structures of Titan may be pursued through analysis of morphologies of fluvial channels in various regions. Large channels are readily visible in Cassini SAR imagery at 300 m resolution as either SAR-dark, smooth or perhaps liquid-filled, or SAR-bright, empty with reflective cobbles. Some of these large channels have sections several kilometers in width, as at the southern margin of the mountainous Xanadu terrains. As at the southern margin of the Himalaya, these channels drain highland terrains and apparently carry vast amounts of sediment, apparent as SAR-dark, sedimentary plains onto which the channels debouche. Close inspection of landscapes near filled north polar region lakes reveals channels at several different scales and patterns. Some are structurally controlled, with linear traces tens of kilometers long, and others meander or show dendritic form, indicative of low gradients and uniform surfaces. Many of these meandering forms appear to be incised drainages, indicating perhaps uplift or drop in base level has occurred consequent to the channel formation. Small channels are most easily visible near filled lakes near both poles, since at lake margins, channels emptying into them can be partly filled. This is most visible when there are mountains adjacent to lakes. Dissected lake margins indicate channels below SAR resolution have incised the terrain. Given these observations, and the fact that channels were observed at very high resolution by Huygens, it is likely that much of the surface of Titan is highly dissected by fluvial erosion.
Baker Victor
Farr Tom G.
Kirk Randolph L.
Lopes Rosaly M. C.
Lorenz Ralph D.
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