Geology of the Selk Crater Region of Titan from Cassini VIMS Observations

Details Geology of the Selk Crater Region of Titan from Cassini VIMS Observations Geology of the Selk Crater Region of Titan from Cassini VIMS Observations

Sep 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009dps....41.2112s&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #41, #21.12

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Observations of Titan obtained by Cassini VIMS have revealed Selk crater, a geologically young bright-rimmed impact crater, located 800 km north-northwest of the Huygens landing site. The crater rim-crest diameter is 95 km; its floor diameter is 55 km. A central-peak complex, 20 km in diameter, is suggested in the VIMS data. The inner rim of Selk crater is fluted, probably by eolian erosion, while the outer flank and presumed ejecta blanket appear dissected by drainages, likely the result of pluvial erosion. Terracing is observed on the northern and western walls of Selk forming a terrace zone approximately 20 km wide. The polygonal appearance of the crater likely results from two preexisting planes of weakness. We conclude Selk crater is a typical complex impact crater exhibiting morphology and morphometry similar to complex lunar craters. A generally bright terrain that exhibits similar infrared color variation and contrast to Selk crater extends east-southeast from the crater several hundred km; we informally refer to this terrain as the Selk "bench". The Belet dune field surrounds both Selk crater and the bench. Multiple hypotheses for the genesis of the bench include: wind shadowing in the lee of Selk crater preventing the encroachment of dunes, impact-induced cryovolcanism, flow of a fluidized ejecta blanket (similar to the bright crater outflows observed on Venus), and erosion of a streamlined upland by erosive fluid flow, either liquid or gas, formed in the lee of Selk. Vestigial circular outlines in the bench just east of Selk's ejecta blanket suggest that this might be a remnant of an ancient cratered crust. The southern margin of the bench evidently has sufficient relief to prevent the encroachment of dunes. We conclude that the bench either represents a relatively high-viscosity fluidized ejecta flow or a streamlined upland that formed downstream from Selk crater.

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