Non-Newtonian convection modeling and the possibility of present day internal activity on Ceres

Details Non-Newtonian convection modeling and the possibility of present day internal activity on Ceres Non-Newtonian convection modeling and the possibility of present day internal activity on Ceres

Dec 2011

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011agufm.p23d1741s&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2011, abstract #P23D-1741

Mathematics

Logic

[6024] Planetary Sciences: Comets And Small Bodies / Interiors

Scientific paper

The largest body in the asteroid belt, Ceres is believed to have experienced evolution process similar to planets. The comparatively small size of Ceres suggests that it should have cooled early in its formation and should be geologically inactive. The surface of Ceres is mainly covered with impact craters. However, recent spectral studies show the presence of hydroxide brucite, magnesium carbonates and serpentine on the surface suggesting some recent geological processes. This internal activity could be the result of convection processes on the dwarf planet. We consider the interior of Ceres to have a solid rock core with an ice-silicate mixture mantle. The time scale used for these models is from the beginning of formation of the solar system. We use a non-Newtonian rheology for the ice-rock mantle dominated by the viscosity of ice (strain-rate dependent). In regions of high strain rate, the viscosity decreases, which in turn increases the vigor of convection. This produces a positive non-linear feedback and convection is more vigorous. We use parameters based on a silicate-ice mixture rheology and both short lived and long-lived radioactive nuclides contribute to the internal heating. We also compare these models with a non-stress dependent model. Using reasonable values for an ice-rock mixture suggests the existence of present day convection on Ceres. We estimate surface deformation, topography, geoid, and heat flow from our models which can be compared with observational data when the DAWN mission arrives at Ceres in 2015.

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