Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
May 2002
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002agusm.p31a..12i&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Spring Meeting 2002, abstract #P31A-12
Mathematics
Logic
5480 Volcanism (8450), 8450 Planetary Volcanism (5480)
Scientific paper
The floor of Isidis Basin (IB) is covered by materials of theVastitas Borealis Formation that appear to be emplaced essentially as a single unit. Along its western boundary, IB is in contact with volcanic flows from Syrtis Major Planum (SMP). We studied the transition zone from IB to SMP using the Viking and MOC imagery and the MOLA topographic data. The contact between the Isidis unit and volcanic flows from SMP is sharp to gradational and in places is characterized by a high (~500 m) scarp or by a network of faults that separate pieces of lava plains off the main plateau of SMP. Clusters of knobs and mesas, sometimes arranged in flow-like features, are also typical features of the transition zone. Several important characteristics of the transition from SMP to IB are presented. (1) The small-scale surface texture seen in the MOC images appears to be the same for both the SMP lava plateau and the knobs and mesas that characterize the transition. (2) There is strong evidence for the breakup of the coherent surface of SMP where it is in contact with materials in IB. (3) The plateau breakup (the knobby terrain) appears basinward after the major break of slope of SMP where it enters IB. (4) There is no evidence for plateau breakup anywhere up on the slopes of SMP. (5) The lavas of SMP remain morphologically intact where they are in contact with other units, such as the Noachian cratered terrain or where lava flows are stacked within SMP itself. These characteristic features of the transition zone from SMP to IB are readily explained if the zone of plateau breakup consists of relatively young lava flows that have been superimposed onto the surface of volatile-rich substratum, such as the interior unit of IB. Such a substratum may have served as a weak, non-resistant basement for the late lava flows from Syrtis Major. During the emplacement of lava flows on this basement the volatile components of it (H2O, CO2 or both) should escape, weaken the non-volatile residuum, and allow the flows to subside and break up. Thus, simple superposition of hot volcanic materials on top of volatile-bearing sediments can explain the key geological and topographic aspects of the transition zone from SMP and IB. Such an explanation does not involve any massive/ sudden erosion from Syrtis Major but requires the existence of volatile-rich sediments within Isidis Basin at the time of late stages of volcanic activity in Syrtis.
Head James W.
Ivanov Michael A.
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