Observations of Rock Organization on High Latitude Patterned Ground Terrains on Mars

Details Observations of Rock Organization on High Latitude Patterned Ground Terrains on Mars Observations of Rock Organization on High Latitude Patterned Ground Terrains on Mars

Dec 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009agufm.p13a1254o&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2009, abstract #P13A-1254

Statistics

[0710] Cryosphere / Periglacial Processes, [5420] Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets / Impact Phenomena, Cratering, [5462] Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets / Polar Regions, [6225] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Mars

Scientific paper

Patterned ground is observed to pervade the geology of ice-rich Martian terrains at high latitudes. GRS on ODYSSEY has detected 60-90% water ice by volume in the soil of these terrains. The Phoenix lander performed multiple experiments in a site characterized by regular decameter-scale polygons typical of these terrains and confirmed the presence of ice just beneath the surface. Previous studies have focused on the character, formation mechanism, structure and distribution of Martian patterned ground. Now, with aid from HiRISE, we are conducting a project to characterize how patterned ground interacts with the surface at the smallest observable scales, focusing especially upon the redistribution of rocks in association with pattern formation. We show rocks on the surface of patterned ground terrains are often organized. We find that organization of rocks requires horizontal and vertical movement of rocks. Rock organization takes multiple forms and is related to the multiple forms of patterned ground. Rocks can cluster in troughs and polygon interiors, both in local highs and lows. Formation of patterned ground and weathering of the surface can account for both of these scenarios. We find that organization of rocks occurs on timescales faster than small-crater obliteration, allowing us to quantify the rates of patterning. Small crater statistics place limits on the time this organization occurs. Nearly all craters in polar latitudes are extremely degraded and heavily influenced by patterned ground but still have similar rock distributions to equatorial craters. Rocks therefore move only on scales relative to the patterned ground itself. Rocks on the surface of Mars at can be moved around by the processes of the environment surrounding them. We find that the patterned ground mechanism is one such process capable of transporting and redistributing rocks on the surface. The positions of the rocks on the surface relative to the patterning may also allow us to probe the mechanism that develops patterned ground terrains on Mars. Figure 1. Rocks organized on local highs from PSP_005757_1195; north is up, illumination is from the upper left.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Observations of Rock Organization on High Latitude Patterned Ground Terrains on Mars 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 Observations of Rock Organization on High Latitude Patterned Ground Terrains on Mars, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Observations of Rock Organization on High Latitude Patterned Ground Terrains on Mars will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1767773