Magnetic Field Anomalies Above Large Martian Impact Structures

The Mars Global Surveyor NASA mission revealed the complex nature of the lithospheric magnetic field of Mars. Intense anomalies are located above the southern cratered highlands, while the giant impact basins (Hellas, Argyre, Utopia) and the northern smoothed lowlands do not show significant anomalies. Here we study the magnetic signal above large impact craters, with diameters ranging between 100 and 2000 km. Magnetic measurements are carefully screened and selected to avoid non static features. Then the mean magnetic field is evaluated both inside each crater rim and in its immediate vicinity, within one crater radius. The ratio of these two quantities helps to determine which craters modified the magnetic properties of the pre-impact lithosphere. In addition, this technique allows the impacts located in the strongly magnetized Terra Sirenum and Terra Cimmeria to be studied. Results of this study, as well as comparison of the magnetic measurements to predicted ones for different pre-impact magnetization directions will be presented.