Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Apr 2003
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2003eaeja....14252k&link_type=abstract
EGS - AGU - EUG Joint Assembly, Abstracts from the meeting held in Nice, France, 6 - 11 April 2003, abstract #14252
Mathematics
Logic
1
Scientific paper
Clathrate hydrates are potentially the most abundant class of solids in the outer Solar System. The mass of clathrates in the icy satellites may exceed that of all silicates, metals, sulfides, salts, water ice, and other non-clathrate volatiles combined. Clathrates may store most of the Solar System's (Earth's included) inventories of nonpolar condensed carbonaceous molecular gases (CO, CO_2, CH_4, and others), if the gas giants are excluded. Yet, clathrates are not inert repositories of these gases. Rather, fluctuations in temperature, pressure, and fluid composition cause the formation and destruction of clathrates. Thus, in large, geologically active worlds the nonpolar gases cycle through the solid clathrates and various fluid phases. The molar volume changes associated with clathrate formation and dissociation are substantial. The hissing and popping of terrestrial natural gas hydrate, when extracted in drill cores or dredged from the seafloor and depressurized to ambient surface conditions, is well documented and has natural analogs on larger scales. Catastrophic destabilization of clathrate due to either temperature increase or pressure decrease has been documented on Earth. For example, latest-Paleocene global warming and associated biologic extinctions are interpreted to have resulted from massive destabilization of seafloor clathrates and emission of CH_4 (G.R. Dickens et al., 1997, Geology, 25, 259-262). This event may be linked to clathrate-associated fault, slump, and landslide features widely observed on submarine ridges and edges of shelves (e.g., Dillon et al., 1998, in: J.P. Henriet and J. Mienert (Eds.), Geol. Soc. Lond. Spec. Pub. 137, 293-302) Such terrains may be good analogs of Martian chaotic terrain. Today, dynamic clathrate formation and dissociation occurs on a smaller scale, with consequent seafloor mud volcanism, mud diapirism, and seafloor sediment brecciation widely reported. Catastrophic clathrate dissociation and related events may be more important on other planets, particularly counterparts on Mars. It has been proposed that mud diapirism, mud volcanism, and (on scales drastically greater than the Blake Ridge features) collapse and flow features may all be related to volume changes, fluidization, and degassing related to CO_2-clathrate dissociation (e.g., K.L. Tanaka et al. 2001, Geology 29, 427-430). It is plausible also that chaos on Europa is similarly related. If Europa's rocky mantle vents SO_2, as does Io, SO_2-clathrate could form in its ocean and may be a major constituent of Europa's icy shell and ocean deposits. Some other icy bodies also have chaotic terrains. Ariel and Triton are notable, where clathrates may be dominantly of N_2, CO, and CH_4. Dissociation of clathrates is a possible cause of the plumes on Triton.
Kargel Jeff S.
Prieto-Ballesteros Olga
Tanaka Ken L.
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