Analogue Investigations into Magma-Cryosphere Interactions on Mars
Abstract
Many landforms and morphological features thought to have resulted from magma-cryosphere interactions have been identified on Mars. However, few experimental studies have been conducted to investigate the physical and thermal changes that should occur in the subsurface during these interactions. This project aims to begin to address this by conducting a series of laboratory analogue experiments. We introduce a heat source into a block of analogue cryosphere material (a carefully-prepared mixture of solid grains and ice) and record the thermal development within the block using thermocouples. We use these measurements to interpret the physical activity within the block, such as when and where phase changes occur, what sequence of shapes the developing melt region takes, and the extent of convection of any fluid phase H20. Blocks are also dissected after each run and documented photographically to record any physical movement of grains. Results will be used to constrain variables within a heat flow model that we are developing. This model will then be applied to the interpretation of landforms on Mars to help determine what set of processes could have realistically occurred during their formation. A second series of experiments will investigate surface morphological changes on the cryosphere analogue blocks. Resultant morphologies will be recorded and compared with existing martian landforms to again provide insight into formation processes.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2011
- Bibcode:
- 2011AGUFM.P31B1707T
- Keywords:
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- 5480 PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLID SURFACE PLANETS / Volcanism;
- 6225 PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS / Mars