Physics
Scientific paper
May 1981
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1981jgr....86.3951t&link_type=abstract
Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 86, May 10, 1981, p. 3951-3959.
Physics
105
Lithosphere, Membrane Structures, Planetary Structure, Planetology, Structural Strain, Topography, Bending, Earth (Planet), Lunar Topography, Mars (Planet), Spherical Harmonics, Spherical Shells, Planets, Topography, Stress, Lithosphere, Parameters, Tharsis Montes, Mathematical Models, Spherical Harmonics, Mars, Moon, Comparisons, Data, Physical Properties, Earth, Gravity, Mascons, Thickness
Scientific paper
The role of membrane stresses and bending stresses in supporting topographic loads on planetary elastic lithospheres is examined. A dimensionless parameter is introduced in order to determine the ability of a spherical shell to support loads through membrane stresses. It is determined that when this parameter is large, membrane stresses can fully support topographic loads with flexure, and when it is small the influence of the membrane stresses can be neglected. Equations governing the behavior of a spherical shell are solved for a topographic load expressed in terms of spherical harmonics, and spherical harmonic expansions of the measured gravity and topography for Mars and the moon are compared with the theory. It is concluded that membrane stresses play an important role in the support of topographic loads on the moon and Mars. The correlation of observed gravitational potential anomalies with the topography on Mars is explained by membrane stresses in the elastic lithosphere.
Haxby William F.
Norberry J.
Turcotte Donald L.
Willemann Raymond J.
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