Titan's Surface: Distribution Of Endogenic And Exogenic Processes From Cassini Radar Data

Details Titan's Surface: Distribution Of Endogenic And Exogenic Processes From Cassini Radar Data Titan's Surface: Distribution Of Endogenic And Exogenic Processes From Cassini Radar Data

Sep 2006

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006dps....38.5202l&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #38, #52.02; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 38, p.579

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

Cassini's Titan Radar Mapper has imaged the surface of Titan on six flybys to date, collecting Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data at spatial resolution ranging from 300 m - 2km. These data reveal that Titan's surface has been modified by both endogenic (volcanism and tectonism) and exogenic (impact cratering and erosion) processes. Although only 10% of the surface of Titan has been imaged using SAR, the acquired swaths are distributed over a wide latitudinal range, enabling some preliminary conclusions to be drawn about the global distribution of processes. Cryovolcanic units have been identified mostly at mid-latitudes (40-60 N), though some depressions that may be calderas have been identified at high latitudes (> 75N, see Mitchell et al., this volume) and possible cryovolcanic features at lower latitudes have been suggested by VIMS data (e.g., Sotin et al., 2005, Science 435). Ridges and mountains that are probably of tectonic origin have been seen mostly at low latitudes, while drainage channels and candidate impact features have been identified in all swaths. Fields of dunes (Titan's "sand seas") are mostly equatorial, but extend as far as 60 degrees. In contrast, lakes and a shoreline feature have been seen at latitudes over 80 degrees. The distribution of lacustrine features is consistent with colder temperatures and more precipitation at high latitudes. The distribution of dunes is as expected from Titan's winds (Lorenz et al., 2006, Science 312; Radebaugh et al., this issue). Erosion by fluvial processes may have occurred on a global scale. Future data will allow us to further constrain the distribution of tectonism and volcanism, providing valuable input for models of Titan's interior.

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