Pseudocraters on Mars.
Abstract
In the Cydonia region of southern Acidalium Planitia are small, low-relief, apparently volcanic domelike structures, whose size, morphology, and general occurrence suggest they are martian analogs of terrestrial pseudocraters, a type of phreatic eruption. Average base diameters are about 800 m, which is somewhat larger than typical Icelandic examples. All the domes have summit pits; elongate domes generally have elongate summit pits or, in extreme cases, double pits. The greatest concentration of these domes is in a region of subdued fractured plains which may be old volcanic flows. Pseudocraters on the earth are produced when lava flows over water-logged ground. On Mars surface or subsurface ice was the likley medium that produced the steam eruptions resulting in cratered domelike structures on the lava surfaces.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Geophysical Research
- Pub Date:
- December 1979
- DOI:
- 10.1029/JB084iB14p08075
- Bibcode:
- 1979JGR....84.8075F
- Keywords:
-
- Domes (Geology);
- Geomorphology;
- Mars Craters;
- Mars Surface;
- Photogeology;
- Volcanoes;
- Ice;
- Mariner 9 Space Probe;
- Mars Photographs;
- Photomapping;
- Planetary Mapping;
- Planetary Structure;
- Satellite-Borne Photography;
- Viking Orbiter 1;
- Mars Craters:Morphology