Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Dec 2010
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010agufm.p31c1548l&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2010, abstract #P31C-1548
Mathematics
Logic
[6281] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Titan
Scientific paper
Titan’s surface geology reflects surface-atmospheric interaction in ways similar to Earth’s. The methane cycle on Titan is a major contributor to the formation of surface features such as lakes, seas, rivers, and dunes. We used data from Cassini RADAR to map the distribution and relative ages of terrains that allow us to determine the geological processes that have shaped Titan’s surface. These SAR swaths (up to Titan flyby T64) cover about ~45% percent of the surface, at a spatial resolution ranging from 350 m to about >2 km. The data are distributed over a wide latitudinal and longitudinal range, enabling some conclusions to be drawn about the global distribution and significance of processes. They reveal a geologically complex surface that has been modified by all the major geologic processes seen on Earth. In this paper, we update the geologic unit map that used flybys up to T30 (Lopes et al., 2010, Icarus, 205, 540-558), representing ~20% of the surface. We find that the overall correlations found previously still hold given more than double the areal coverage. In terms of global areal distribution, both dunes and mountainous terrains (including Xanadu) cover more area (respectively 9.2% and 14.6% of the observed area) than other identified geologic units. In terms of latitudinal distribution, dunes and hummocky, mountainous terrains are located mostly at low latitudes (less than 30 degrees), with no dunes being present above 60 degrees. Channels formed by fluvial activity are present at all latitudes, but lakes filled with liquid are found at high latitudes only (above 60 degrees). Impact structures are mostly located at low latitudes, with no confidently identified craters above 60 degrees latitude, possibly indicating that more resurfacing has occurred at higher latitudes. Putative cryovolcanic features, consisting mostly of flows, are not ubiquitous and are mostly located in the areas surrounding Xanadu. We examine temporal relationships between units and conclude that aeolian and fluvial/pluvial/lacustrine processes - all products of the methane cycle - are the most recent, while tectonic processes that led to the formation of mountainous terrains and Xanadu are likely the most ancient. Mountainous terrains, which along with Xanadu may have at least in part a tectonic origin, are radar-bright and radiometrically distinct from most other areas. They may have been washed clean of organic particulates by methane rains. Radiometric data from the Sinlap ejecta blanket reveals fresh water ice, indicating that the crater is relatively young. Preliminary correlations between geologic units and surface properties derived from the radiometry measurements (brightness temperature, effective dielectric constant, and degree of volume scattering) will also be presented.
Aharonson Oded
Cassini RADAR Team
Hayes Alexander G.
Janssen Michael A.
Le Gall A. A.
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