Terrestrial Seismic and Magnetic Field Studies of Volcanic Fields as an Analog to Lunar Surface Prospecting
Abstract
Use of geophysical methods to study terrestrial near-surface volcanic features provide planetary analogs for understanding how these techniques can be translated to similar investigations on the Moon. Here we describe our results of seismic and magnetic studies from two analog localities, and how our investigations can inform lunar exploration science and in-situ resource utilization.
At our fieldsite in the San Francisco Volcanic Field (SFVF), AZ, we executed a series of active-source seismic refraction lines to study local fault structure relative to vent locations in a monogenic cinder cone field. The resulting 2-D velocity structure analysis shows vertical displacements of seismic layers within the upper 200 meters of the subsurface that are coincident with local faulting. The alignment of the displacements support the hypothesis that the positions of the cinder cone vents are in part controlled by the local fault systems. At our second fieldsite in Lava Beds National Monument (LBNM), CA, we completed magnetic surveys and LiDAR mapping of lava tubes to study the ability to geophysically detect and characterize tube structure and spatial extent. Analysis reveals a linear correlation between the strength of the lava tube magnetic anomalies and the geometric ratio of tube depth and cross-sectional area. Our ground-truth benchmarking indicates that the magnetic method can be translated to the Moon for evaluating lunar lava tubes as targets for additional study and exploration. These field studies provide the opportunity to assess geophysical field methods within basaltic fields similar to those on the Moon, with study objectives similar to those on future human lunar surface exploration and prospecting missions. For instance, the seismic data collected at the SFVF can be evaluated for optimum source and receiver quantities and placement to achieve required resolution for lunar active source seismic experiments. Our magnetic survey data and analysis of lava tubes can be applied in a similar fashion to determine survey requirements for prospecting of near-surface voids and lava tubes within a mare basalt flow of the Moon. Finally, the field methods employed in these studies can be evaluated for aspects that are best suited for automation, remote monitoring, or crew executed/tended for lunar exploration.- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2020
- Bibcode:
- 2020AGUFMP063...08B
- Keywords:
-
- 6207 Comparative planetology;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS;
- 5464 Remote sensing;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLID SURFACE PLANETS;
- 5470 Surface materials and properties;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLID SURFACE PLANETS;
- 5494 Instruments and techniques;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLID SURFACE PLANETS