Tectonic patterns on a tidally distorted planet

Mathematics – Logic

Scientific paper

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Geological Faults, Lunar Geology, Planetary Surfaces, Satellite Orbits, Tectonics, Tides, Earth-Moon System, Elastic Shells, Galilean Satellites, Lithosphere, Polar Regions, Stress Distribution, Planets, Tectonics, Tidal Effects, Lithosphere, Satellites, Stress, Moon, Patterns, Faults, Polar Regions, Calculations, Diagrams

Scientific paper

Consideration is given to the tectonic patterns expected on the surface of a synchronously rotating planet or satellite as a result of tidal deformation by the primary. The lithosphere of the satellite is treated as a thin elastic shell which maintains the equilibrium shape of a tidally distorted body, with stresses developing as the equilibrium shape changes during orbital evolution. Tectonic patterns are then obtained by the use of the relation of Anderson (1951) between stress and faulting. The predicted pattern for a body such as the moon, which has receded from the earth, is found not to be rotationally symmetric, with a region of north-south striking thrust faults around the sub-earth point and its antipode, normal faults striking from the near side to the far side at the polar regions, and strike slip faults near the limbs. It is pointed out that little photogeological evidence exists at present for these faults on the moon, however the crucial polar regions have not been mapped well; the patterns may also be evident on the Galilean satellites of Jupiter.

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