Physics – Geophysics
Scientific paper
Oct 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009jgre..11410002m&link_type=abstract
Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 114, Issue E10, CiteID E10002
Physics
Geophysics
9
Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects: Mars, Hydrology: Geomorphology: General (1625), Marine Geology And Geophysics: Marine Sediments: Processes And Transport, Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Remote Sensing, Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Surface Materials And Properties
Scientific paper
Two depositional fan complexes have been identified on the floor of southwest Melas Chasma. The western fan complex is located near the center of an enclosed basin in southwest Melas Chasma and is composed of multiple lobes with dendritic finger-like terminations. These fans are very flat and have a morphology unlike any other fan that has been previously identified on Mars. On the basis of the morphologic similarity of the western fan complex to the Mississippi submarine fan complex, we suggest that it may be a deep subaqueous fan depositional system. There are numerous channels on the surface of the western fan complex, and measurements of channel length, width, and sinuosity are consistent with channels observed on terrestrial submarine fans. The eastern Melas depositional fans are less well preserved and may be of deltaic or sublacustrine origin. Recognition of the fans supports earlier suggestions for the presence of a former lake in Melas Chasma and indicates that a significant body of water was present and stable at the surface of Mars for at least 102 to 104 years.
Grotzinger John P.
McEwen Alfred S.
Metz Joannah M.
Milliken Ralph
Mohrig David
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