The age of the Medusae Fossae Formation: Evidence of Hesperian emplacement from crater morphology, stratigraphy, and ancient lava contacts

Icarus

Volumn 206, Issue 2, 2010, Pages 669-684

  Kerber, Laura ^a   Head, James W ^a  

^a BROWN UNIVERSITY   (United States)

Author keywords

Geological processes; Mars; Mars, Surface; Volcanism

Indexed keywords

EID: 77649235874     PISSN: 00191035     EISSN: 10902643     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2009.10.001     Document Type: Article

References (57)

1. Barlow N.G. Impact craters in the northern hemisphere of Mars: Layered ejecta and central pit characteristics. Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 41 (2006) 1425-1436
2. Barlow, N.G., 1993. Increased depth-diameter ratios in the Medusae Fossae Formation deposits of Mars. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXIV, 61-62 (abstract).
3. Bradley B.A., Sakimoto S.E.H., Frey H., and Zimbelman J.R. Medusae Fossae Formation: New perspectives from Mars Global Surveyor. J. Geophys. Res. 107 (2002) E8
4. Bradley, B.A., Sakimoto, S.E.H., 2001. Relationships between the Medusae Fossae Formation (MFF), fluvial channels, and the dichotomy boundary southeast of Nicholson Crater, Mars. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXII. Abstract 1335.
5. Burr, D.M., Williams, R.M.E., Nussbaumer, J., Zimbelman, J.R., 2006. Multiple, distinct, (glacio?) fluvial paleochannels throughout the western Medusae Fossae Formation, Mars. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXVII. Abstract 1367.
6. Burr D.M., Enga M.T., Williams R.M.E., Zimbelman J.R., Howard A.D., and Brennard T.A. Pervasive aqueous paleoflow features in the Aeolis/Zephyria Plana region, Mars. Icarus 200 (2009) 52-76
7. Butler, B.J., 1994. The 3.5-cm Radar Investigation of Mars and Mercury: Planetological Implications. PhD Dissertation, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California.
8. Carter, L.M., and 11 colleagues, 2009. Shallow radar (SHARAD) sounding observations of the Medusae Fossae Formation, Mars. Icarus 199, 295-302.
9. Dickson J.L., Fassett C.I., and Head J.W. Amazonian-aged fluvial valley systems in a climatic microenvironment on Mars: Melting of ice deposits on the interior of Lyot Crater. Geophys. Res. Lett. 36 (2009) L08201
10. Edgett K.S., Butler B.J., Zimbelman J.R., and Hamilton V.E. Geologic context of the Mars radar "Stealth" region in southwestern Tharsis. J. Geophys. Res. 102 E9 (1997) 21545-21567
11. Fassett, C.I., Dickson, J.L., Head, J.W., 2009. Small, young fluvial features in icy terrains on Mars. Lunar Planet. Sci. XL. Abstract 1185.
12. Fuller E.R., and Head J.W. Amazonis Planitia: The role of geologically recent volcanism and sedimentation in the formation of the smoothest plains on Mars. J. Geophys. Res. 107 (2002) E10
13. Greeley, R., Guest, J., 1987. Geologic map of the eastern equatorial region of Mars. USGS Misc. Inv. Series Map I-1802-B.
14. Greeley R., Kuzmin R.O., and Haberle R.M. Aeolian processes and their effects on understanding the chronology of Mars. Space Sci. Rev. 96 1-4 (2001) 393-404
15. Griffin, L.J., Zimbelman, J.R., 2009. Geologic mapping of western Medusae Fossae Formation, Mars (MC 23-NW): Redefining unit boundaries and features to reveal a history of tectonism, wind erosion, and episodic water flow. Lunar Planet. Sci. XL. Abstract 1196.
16. Grimm R.E., and Solomon S.C. Tectonic tests of proposed polar wander paths for Mars and the Moon. Icarus 65 (1986) 101-121
17. Hartmann W.K., and Neukum G. Cratering chronology and the evolution of Mars. Space Sci. Rev. 96 1-4 (2001) 165-194
18. Head, J.W., Kreslavsky, M., 2004. Medusae Fossae Formation: Ice-rich airborne dust deposited during periods of high obliquity? Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXV. Abstract 1635.
19. Hynek B.M., Phillips R.J., and Arvidson R.E. Explosive volcanism in the Tharsis region: Global evidence in the martian geologic record. J. Geophys. Res. 108 (2003) E9
20. Inbar M., and Risso C. Holocene yardangs in volcanic terrains in the Southern Andes, Argentina. Earth Surf. Proc. 26 (2001) 657-666
21. Jaeger W.L., Keszthelyi L.P., McEwen A.S., Dundas C.M., and Russell P.S. Athabasca Valles, Mars: A lava-draped channel system. Science 317 (2007) 1709-1711
22. Kadish, S.J., Barlow, N.G., 2006. Pedestal crater distribution and implications for a new model of formation. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXVII. Abstract 1254.
23. Kadish, S.J., Head, J.W., Barlow, N.G., 2008. Pedestal craters on Mars: Distribution, characteristics, and implications for Amazonian climate change. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXIX. Abstract 1766.
24. Kadish, S.J., Barlow, N.G., Head, J.W., 2009a. Latitude dependence of martian pedestal craters: Evidence for a sublimation-driven formation mechanism. J. Geophys. Res. 114, E10001. doi:10.1029/2008JE003318.
25. Kadish, S.J., Head, J.W., Barlow, N.G., 2009b. Mid-latitude pedestal crater heights: A proxy for the thickness of a past climate-related, ice-rich substrate. Lunar Planet. Sci. XL. Abstract 1313.
26. Kerber, L., Head, J.W., Madeleine, J.B., Forget, F., Wilson, L., 2009. The dispersal of Pyroclasts from Apollinaris Patera, Mars. Lunar Planet. Sci. XL. Abstract 2176.
27. Kreslavsky M., and Head J.W. Kilometer-scale roughness of Mars: Results from MOLA data analysis. J. Geophys. Res. 105 E11 (2000) 26695-26711
28. Langlais B., and Purucker M. A polar magnetic paleopole associated with Apollinaris Patera, Mars. Planet. Space Sci. 155 (2007) 270-279
29. Livingstone I., and Warren A. Aeolian Geomorphology: An Introduction (1996), Addison Wesley Longman Limited, Singapore pp. 32-34
30. Mandt, K.E., de Silva, S., Zimbelman, J.R., Crown, D.A., 2007. A synoptic approach to evaluating the origin of the Medusae Fossae Formation, Mars. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXVIII. Abstract 1823.
31. Mandt K.E., de Silva S.L., Zimbelman J.R., and Crown D.A. Origin of the Medusae Fossae Formation, Mars: Insights from a synoptic approach. J. Geophys. Res. 113 (2008) E12011 10.1029/2008JE003076
32. Mouginis-Mark P.J. Martian fluidized crater morphology - Variations with crater size, latitude, and target material. J. Geophys. Res. 84 (1979) 8011-8022
33. Mouginis-Mark, P.J., 2002. Prodigious ash deposits near the summit of Arsia Mons, Mars. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXIII. Abstract 1407.
34. Muhleman D.O., Butler B.J., Grossman A.W., and Slade M.A. Radar images of Mars. Science 253 (1991) 1508-1513
35. Parker, T.J., 1991. A comparison of the martian Medusae Fossae Formation with terrestrial carbonate platforms. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXII. Abstract 1029.
36. Preblich B.S., McEwen A.S., and Studer D.M. Mapping rays and secondary craters from the martian crater Zunil. J. Geophys. Res. 112 (2007) E05006 10.1029/2006JE002817
37. Robinson M.S., Mouginis-Mark P.J., Zimbelman J.R., Wu S.S.C., Ablin K.K., and Howington-Kraus A.E. Chronology, eruption duration, and atmospheric contribution of the martian volcano Apollinaris Patera. Icarus 104 (1993) 301-323
38. Sakimoto S.E.H. Topography, roughness, layering, and slope properties of the Medusae Fossae Formation from Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) and Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) data. J. Geophys. Res. 104 E10 (1999) 22154-24141
39. Schultz, P.H., 2002. Uncovering Mars. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXIII. Abstract 1790.
40. Schultz, P.H., 2006. Uncovering Mars. Planetary Chronology Workshop. Abstract 6024.
41. Schultz P.H. Hidden Mars. Science 318 (2007) 1080-1081
42. Schultz P.H., and Lutz A.B. Polar wandering of Mars. Icarus 73 (1988) 91-141
43. Scott, D.H., Dohm, J.M., Applebee, D.J., 1993. Geological map of science study area 8, Apollinaris Patera region of Mars. USGS Misc. Invest. Ser. Map MTM-10186.
44. Scott D.H., and Tanaka K.L. Ignimbrites of Amazonis Planitia region of Mars. J. Geophys. Res. 87 B2 (1982) 1179-1190
45. Scott, D.H., Tanaka, K.L., 1986. Geologic map of the western equatorial region of Mars. USGS Misc. Invest. Ser. Map I-1802-A.
46. Tanaka K.L. Dust and ice deposition in the martian geologic record. Icarus 144 2 (2000) 254-266
47. Tanaka, K.L., Skinner Jr., J.A., Hare, T.M., 2005. Geologic map of the Northern Plains of Mars. USGS Sci. Invest. Map 2888.
48. Ward A.W. Yardangs on Mars: Evidence of recent wind erosion. J. Geophys. Res. 84 (1979) 8147-8165
49. Watters, T.R., and 12 colleagues, 2007. Radar sounding of the Medusae Fossae Formation Mars: Equatorial ice or dry, low-density deposits? Science 318, 1125-1128.
50. Werner, S.C., 2005. Major Aspects of the Chronostratigraphy and Geologic Evolutionary History of Mars. PhD Dissertation. Fachbereich Geowissenschaften Freie Universität, Berlin.
51. Werner S.C. The global martian volcanic evolutionary history. Icarus 201 (2009) 44-68
52. Wilson L., and Head J.W. Mars: Review and analysis of volcanic eruption theory and relationships to observed landforms. Rev. Geophys. 32 (1994) 221-263
53. Wrobel K., Schultz P.H., and Crawford D. An atmospheric blast/thermal model for the formation of high-latitude pedestal craters. Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 41 (2006) 1539-1550
54. Zimbelman J.R., and Griffin L.J. HiRISE images of yardangs and sinuous ridges in the lower member of the Medusae Fossae Formation, Mars. Icarus 205 (2009) 198-210
55. Zimbelman, J.R., Johnston, A.K., Lovett, C.G., 1996. Geologic map of Medusae Fossae Formation within MTM Quadrangle 05142 on Mars. Geol. Soc. Am. Meet. 23 (7), A128 (abstract).
56. Zimbelman, J.R., Crown, D.A., Grant, J.A., Hooper, D.M., 1997. The Medusae Fossae Formation, Amazonis Planitia, Mars: Evolution of proposed hypotheses of origin. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXVIII. Abstract 1482.
57. Zimbelman, J.R., Sakimoto, S.E.H., Frey, H., 2000. Evidence for a fluvial contribution to the complex story of the Medusae Fossae Formation on Mars. Geol. Soc. of Am. Meet. Abstract 50423.