Geophysical Implications of the Martian Gravity Field
Abstract
The undulations of the Martian gravitational potential indicate lateral density variations in the Mars interior. A gravitating and solid Martian model deforms under the influence of these variations, producing stress differences of about 125 bars at a depth of about 200 km. Introduction of a partially molten core of 1300 km radius does not affect the stress distribution in the mantle significantly, whereas the assumption of a partially molten asthenosphere umderlying a solid lithosphere of about 300 km increases the stress differences appreciably. A strong linear correlation of the gravitational potential and the surface topography indicates that the extensive volcanism at the Tharsis region is a recent phenomenon. The high stresses associated with this region imply that there has been no extensive molten region within the upper 300 km since the volcanism.
- Publication:
-
Icarus
- Pub Date:
- November 1975
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0019-1035(75)90174-8
- Bibcode:
- 1975Icar...26..313A
- Keywords:
-
- Gravitational Effects;
- Mars Environment;
- Planetary Gravitation;
- Potential Fields;
- Topography;
- Astronomical Models;
- Density Distribution;
- Mars Surface;
- Spherical Harmonics;
- Stress Distribution