Relaxation of impact basins on icy satellites

Details Relaxation of impact basins on icy satellites Relaxation of impact basins on icy satellites

Dec 1988

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1988jgr....9314919t&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research (ISSN 0148-0227), vol. 93, Dec. 10, 1988, p. 14919-14932. Research supported by NASA.

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Computation

19

Icy Satellites, Planetary Craters, Satellite Imagery, Satellite Surfaces, Saturn Satellites, Structural Basins, Computational Grids, Hypervelocity Impact, Temperature Gradients, Viscosity

Scientific paper

The problem of relaxation of very large impact craters on icy satellites is addressed and the extent to which such studies can help place constraints on the nature of such satellite interiors is investigated. Very general calculations aimed at understanding the nature of relaxation of large impact structures, including the directions, relaxation velocities, and stress levels, are presented. The dependence of relaxation on such factors as silicate core size and viscosity gradients in the ice is examined. The general results are used to address whether comparing the current morphology of impact basins to estimates of their original shape will yield an understanding of the thermal and mechanical structure of the interiors of the icy satellites. It is found that the relaxation rates derived from models of satellite interiors can provide constraints on viscous layer thicknesses. High thermal gradients can permit substantial relaxation even in thin viscous layers. Finally, the constraints on the internal structure of Tethys arising from the extremely relaxed state of the Odysseus basin and the existence of Ithaca Chasma are discussed.

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