Statistics – Computation
Scientific paper
Dec 1984
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1984icar...60..701w&link_type=abstract
Icarus (ISSN 0019-1035), vol. 60, Dec. 1984, p. 701-709.
Statistics
Computation
44
Axes Of Rotation, Axial Loads, Elastic Shells, Lithosphere, Planetary Rotation, Planetary Surfaces, Flattening, Legendre Functions, Mars (Planet), Mercury (Planet), Tectonics
Scientific paper
The orientation of a planet is controlled by the positions of the principal axes of the inertia tensor relative to the planetary surface. Using the theory for the deflection of thin elastic shells the principal axes are computed after emplacement of an arbitrary axisymmetrical load. The partial compensation of the load and the partial relaxation of rotational flattening are included in the computation. It is found that the amount of reorientation is independent of lithosphere thickness. The parameters controlling the amount of reorientation are the location of the load and the size of the load compared to the rotational flattening. The results indicate that the Tharsis rise has probably reoriented Mars by only 3 to 9° and certainly less than 18°. The position of the Caloris Basin on Mercury indicates that if the surrounding lava sheet controls the planetary orientation then the lava sheet is probably less than 2000 m thick.
Willemann Raymond J.
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