Crater floor polygons: Desiccation patterns of ancient lakes on Mars?

Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets

Volumn 115, Issue 10, 2010, Pages

  El Maarry, M R ^a,b   Markiewicz, W J ^a   Mellon, M T ^c   Goetz, W ^a   Dohm, J M ^d,e   Pack, A ^b  

^a MAX PLANCK INSTITUT FÜR SONNENSYSTEMFORSCHUNG   (Germany)

^b UNIVERSITY OF GÖTTINGEN   (Germany)

^c UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO   (United States)

^d UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA   (United States)

^e UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO   (Japan)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

CRATER; DESICCATION; GEOMORPHOLOGY; MARS; PLANETARY SURFACE; SATELLITE IMAGERY;

EID: 77958586129     PISSN: 01480227     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1029/2010JE003609     Document Type: Article

References (85)

1. Abramov, O., and D. A. Kring (2005), Impact-induced hydrothermal activity on early Mars, J. Geophys. Res., 110, E12S09, doi:10.1029/ 2005JE002453.
2. Altheide, T. S., V. F. Chevrier, E. G. Rivera-Valentin, and J. J. Wray (2009), Modeling the stability of an Ancient Paleolake in Columbus crater, Terra Sirenum, Mars, in Workshop on Modeling Martian Hydrous Environments, LPI Contrib. No.1482, pp. 11-12, Houston, Texas, 1-3 June.
3. Anderson, T. L. (2005), Fracture Mechanics: Fundamentals and Applications, 3rd ed., CRC Press.
4. Aydin, A., and J. M. DeGraff (1988), Evolution of polygonal fracture patterns in lava flows, Science, 239, 471-476.
5. Baker, V. R. (2001), Water and the martian landscape, Nature, 412, 228-356.
6. Baker, V. R., R. G. Strom, V. C. Gulick, J. S. Kargel, G. Komatsu, and V. S. Kale (1991), Ancient oceans, ice sheets and the hydrological cycle on Mars, Nature, 352, 589-594.
7. Baker, V. R., R. G. Strom, J. M. Dohm, V. C. Gulick, J. S. Kargel, G. Komatsu, G. G. Ori, and J. W. Rice (2000), Mars' Oceanus Borealis, ancient glaciers, and the MEGAOUTFLO hypothesis (CD-ROM), Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf., XXXI, Abstract 1863.
8. Bandfield, J. L. (2006), Extended surface exposures of granitoid compositions in Syrtis Major, Mars, Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, L06203, doi:10.1029/2005GL025559.
9. Bandfield, J. L. (2008), High-silica deposits of an aqueous origin in western Hellas Basin, Mars, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L12205, doi:10.1029/ 2008GL033807.
10. Barlow, N. (1995), The degradation of impact craters in Maja Valles and Arabia, Mars, J. Geophys. Res., 100(E11), 23,307-23,316, doi:10.1029/ 95JE02492.
11. Barlow, N. G. (1988), Crater size-frequency distributions and a revised Martian relative chronology, Icarus, 75(2), 285-305. (Database available at http://webgis.wr.usgs.gov/pigwad/down/mars-crater-consortium.htm)
12. Barlow, N. G. (1993), Depth-diameter ratios for martian impact craters: Implications for target properties and episodes of degradations, Mars: Past, Present, and Future. Results from the MSATT Program, Part 1, p. 1.
13. Cabrol, N. A., and E. Grin (1999), Distribution, classification, and ages of Martian Impact Crater Lakes, Icarus, 142, 160-172.
14. Cabrol, N. A., and E. Grin (2002), Overview on the formation of paleolakes and ponds on Mars, Global Planet. Change, 35(3-4), 199-219.
15. Cabrol, N. A., E. A. Grin, H. E. Newsom, R. Landheim, and C. P. McKay, (1999), Hydrogeologic evolution of Gale crater and its relevance to the exobiological exploration of Mars, Icarus, 139, 235-245.
16. Carr, M. H. (1983), Stability of streams and Lakes on Mars, Icarus, 56, 476-495.
17. Carr, M. H., and J. W. Head (2009), Geologic history of Mars, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 294, 185-203, doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2009.06.042.
18. Carr, M. H., S. S. Wu, R. Jordan, and F. J. Schafer (1987), Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf., 18, 155-156, Abstract.
19. Christensen, P. R., et al. (2004), The Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) for the Mars 2001 Odyssey Mission, Space Sci. Rev., 110, 85-130.
20. Corte, A., and A. Higashi (1964), Experimental research on Desiccation cracks in Soil, CRREL Res. Rep., 66, U.S. Army Material Command, Hanover
21. N. H. Costard, F. M., and J. S. Kargel (1995), Outwash plains and thermokarst on Mars, Icarus, 114, 93-112.
22. de Pablo, M. Á., and G. Komatsu (2009), Possible pingo fields in the Utopia basin, Mars: Geological and climatical implications, Icarus, 199, 49-74.
23. Ehlmann, B. H., et al. (2008a), Clay minerals in delta deposits and organic preservation potential on Mars, Nat. Geosci., 1, 355-358.
24. Ehlmann, B. H., et al. (2008b), Orbital identification of carbonate-bearing rocks on Mars, Science, 322, 1828, doi:10.1126/science. 1164759.
25. Ehlmann, B. L., et al. (2009), Identification of hydrated silicate minerals on Mars using MRO-CRISM: Geologic context near Nili Fossae and implications for aqueous alteration, J. Geophys. Res., 114, E00D08, doi:10.1029/2009JE003339.
26. Fairén, A. G., J. M. Dohm, V. R. Baker, M. A. de Pablo, J. Ruiz, J. C. Ferris, and R. C. Anderson (2003), Episodic flood inundations of the northern plains of Mars, Icarus, 165(1), 53-67.
27. Fassett, C. I., and J. W. Head III (2005), Fluvial sedimentary deposits on Mars: Ancient deltas in a crater lake in the Nili Fossae region, Geophys. Res. Lett., 32, L14201, doi:10.1029/2005GL023456.
28. Forsythe, R. D., and C. R. Blackwelder (1998), Closed drainage crater basins of the Martian highlands: Constraints on the early Martian hydrologic cycle, J. Geophys. Res., 103(E13), 31,421-31,431, doi:10.1029/ 98JE01966.
29. Friedman, J. D., C. E. Johansson, N. Oskarsson, H. Svenson, S. Thorarinnsson, and R. S. Williams (1971), Observations on Icelandic Polygon Surfaces and Palsa Areas. Photo Interpretation and Field Studies, Geogr. Ann. A, 53, 115-145.
30. Gold, L. W. (1958), Some observations of the dependence of strain in stress for ice, Can. J. Phys., 36, 1265-1275.
31. Grin, E. A., and N. A. Cabrol (1997), Limnologic analysis of Gusev crater paleolake, Mars, Icarus, 130, 461-474.
32. Grossenbacher, K. A., and S. M. McDuffie (1995), Conductive cooling of lava: columnar joint diameter and stria width as functions of cooling rate and thermal gradient, J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 69, 95-103.
33. Haberle, R. M., C. P. McKay, J. Schaeffer, M. Joshi, N. A. Cabrol, and E. A. Grin (2000), Meteorological control on the formation of paleolakes on Mars, Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. 31st, Abstract 1509.
34. Hartmann, W. K., and G. Neukum (2001), Cratering chronology and the evolution of Mars, Space Sci. Rev., 96, 165-194.
35. Hoefen, T. M., et al. (2003), Discovery of olivine in the Nili Fossae Region of Mars, Science, 302(5645), 627, doi:10.1126/science.1089647.
36. Komatsu, G., G. D. Achille, C. Popa, S. D. Lorenzo, A. P. Rossi, and J. P. Rodriguez (2009), Paleolakes, paleofloods, and depressions in Aurorae and Ophir Plana, Mars: Connectivity of surface and subsurface hydrological systems, Icarus, 201, 474-491.
37. Kuzmin, R. O., and E. V. Zabalueva (2003), Polygonal terrains on Mars: Preliminary results of global mapping of their spatial distribution, Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf., XXXIV, Abstract 1912.
38. Lachenbruch, A. H. (1961), Depth and spacing of tension cracks, J. Geophys. Res., 66(12), 4273-4292, doi:10.1029/JZ066i012p04273.
39. Lachenbruch, A. H. (1962), Mechanics of thermal contraction cracks and ice-wedge polygons in permafrost, Spec. Pap. Geol. Soc. Am., 70, 69 pp.
40. Levy, J., J. Head, and D. Marchant (2009), Thermal contraction crack polygons on Mars: Classification, distribution, and climate implications from HiRISE observations, J. Geophys. Res., 114, E01007, doi:10.1029/ 2008JE003273.
41. Lucchita, B. K. (1983), Permafrost on Mars: Polygonally fractures ground, in Permafrost: Fourth International Conference Proceedings, Natl. Acad. Press, Washington, D. C.
42. Mackay, J. R. (1966), Pingos in Canada, Permafrost International Conference, Proc. Natl. Res. Council, 1287, pp. 71-76, Natl. Acad. Sci., Ottawa, Canada.
43. Malin, M. C., and M. H. Carr (1999), Groundwater formation of martian valleys, Nature, 397, 589-591.
44. Malin, M. C., and K. S. Edgett (2001), Mars Global Surveyor Mars Orbiter Camera: Interplanetary cruise through primary mission, J. Geophys. Res., 106(E10), 23,429-23,570, doi:10.1029/2000JE001455.
45. Malin, M. C., et al. (2007), Context camera investigation on board the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, J. Geophys. Res., 112, E05S04, doi:10.1029/ 2006JE002808.
46. Maloof, A. C., J. B. Kellogg, and A. M. Anders (2002), Neoproterozoic sand wedges: Crack formation in frozen soils under diurnal forcing during a snowball Earth, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 204(1-2), 1-15, doi:10.1016/S0012- 821X(02)00960-3.
47. Mangold, N. (2005), High latitude patterned grounds on Mars: Classification, distribution and climatic control, Icarus, 174, 336-359, doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2004.07.030.
48. Mangold, N., et al. (2007), Mineralogy of the Nili Fossae region with OMEGA/Mars Express data: 2. Aqueous alteration of the crust, J. Geophys. Res., 112, E08S04, doi:10.1029/2006JE002835.
49. Masursky, H. (1973), An overview of geological results from Mariner 9, J. Geophys. Res., 78(20), 4009-4030, doi:10.1029/JB078i020p04009.
50. McEwen, A. S., et al. (2007), Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE), J. Geophys. Res., 112, E05S02, doi:10.1029/2005JE002605.
51. McGill, G. E., and L. S. Hills (1992), Origin of giant Martian polygons, J. Geophys. Res., 97(E2), 2633-2647, doi:10.1029/91JE02863.
52. Mellon, M. T. (1997), Small-scale polygonal features on Mars: Seasonal thermal contraction cracks in permafrost, J. Geophys. Res., 102(E11), 25,617-25,628, doi:10.1029/97JE02582.
53. Mellon, M. T., and B. M. Jakosky (1993), Geographic variations in the thermal and diffusive stability of ground ice on Mars, J. Geophys. Res., 98, 3345-3364, doi:10.1029/92JE02355.
54. Mellon, M. T., R. E. Arvidson, J. J. Marlow, R. J. Phillips, and E. Asphaug (2008), Periglacial landforms at the Phoenix landing site and the northern plains of Mars, J. Geophys. Res., 113, E00A23, doi:10.1029/ 2007JE003039.
55. Melosh, H. J. (1989), Impact Cratering: A Geologic Process, 245 pp., Oxford Univ. Press.
56. Moore, J. M., and D. E. Wilhelms (2001), Hellas as a possible site of ancient ice-covered lakes on Mars, Icarus, 154, 258-276.
57. Mouginis-Mark, P. J. (1987), Water or ice in the Martian regolith?: Clues from rampart craters seen at very high resolution, Icarus, 71(2), 268-286.
58. Mustard, J. F., et al. (2008), Hydrated silicate minerals on Mars observed by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter CRISM instrument, Nature, 454, 305-309, doi:10.1038/nature07097.
59. Mutch, T. A., R. E. Arvidson, J. W. Head, K. L. Jones, and R. S. Sainders (1976), The Geology of Mars, Princeton Univ. Press, Princeton, NJ.
60. Mutch, T. A., R. E. Arvidson, A. B. Binder, E. A. Guinness, and E. C. Morris (1977), The geology of the Viking Lander 2 site, J. Geophys. Res., 82(28), 4452-4467, doi:10.1029/JS082i028p04452.
61. Müller, G. (1998), Starch columns: Analog model for basalt columns, J. Geophys. Res., 103, 15,239-15,253, doi:10.1029/98JB00389.
62. Neal, J. T., A. M. Langer, and P. F. Kerr (1968), Giant desiccation polygons of Great Basin Playas, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 79, 69-90.
63. Newsom, H. E., et al. (1996), Impact crater lakes in Mars, J. Geophys. Res., 101(E6), 14,951-14,955, doi:10.1029/96JE01139.
64. Orofino, V., J. Goldspiel, I. Carofalo, A. Blanco, S. Fonti, and G. A. Marzo (2009), Evaluation of carbonate abundance in putative martian paleolake basins, Icarus, 200(2), 426-435.
65. Osterloo, M. M., et al. (2008), Chloride-bearing materials in the southern highlands of Mars, Science, 319, 1651, doi:10.1126/science.1150690.
66. Parker, A. P. (1999), Stability of arrays of multiple edge cracks, Eng. Frac. Mech., 62(6), 577-591.
67. Parker, T. J., D. S. Gorsline, R. S. Saunders, D. C. Pieri, and D. M. Schneeberger (1993), Coastal Geomorphology of the Martian Northern Plains, J. Geophys. Res., 98(E6), 11,061-11,078, doi:10.1029/93JE00618.
68. Pechmann, J. C. (1980), The origin of polygonal troughs on the northern plains of Mars, Icarus, 42, 185-210.
69. Pondrelli, M., A. Baliva, S. Di Lorenzo, L. Marinangeli, and A. P. Rossi (2005), Complex evolution of paleolacustrine systems on Mars: An example from the Holden crater, J. Geophys. Res., 110, E04016, doi:10.1029/2004JE002335.
70. Rathbun, J. A., and S. W. Squyres (2002), Hydrothermal systems associated with Martian impact craters, Icarus, 157(2), 362-372.
71. Scott, D. H., J. M. Dohm, and D. J. Applebee (1993), Geologic map of science study area 8, Apollinaris Patera region of Mars, scale 1:500,000, U.S. Geol. Surv. Misc. Invest. Map, I-2351.
72. Scott, D. H., J. M. Dohm, and J. W. Rice Jr. (1995), Map of Mars showing channels and possible paleolake basins, U.S. Geol. Surv. Misc. Invest. Map, I-2461.
73. Seibert, N. M., and J. S. Kargel (2001), Small-scale martian polygonal terrain: Implications for liquid surface water, Geophys. Res. Lett., 28(5), 899-902, doi:10.1029/2000GL012093.
74. Soare, R. J., D. M. Burr, and J. M. Wan Bun Tseung (2005), Possible pingos and a periglacial landscape in northwest Utopia Planitia, Icarus, 174, 373-382.
75. Soare, R. J., G. R. Osinski, and C. L. Roehm, (2008), Thermokarst lakes and ponds on Mars in the very recent (late Amazonian) past, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 272, 382-393.
76. Squyres, S. W. (1989), Urey Prize Lecture: Water on Mars, Icarus, 79, 229-288.
77. Tanaka, K. L., and G. J. Leonard (1995), Geology and landscape evolution of the Hellas region of Mars, J. Geophys. Res., 100(E3), 5407-5432, doi:10.1029/94JE02804.
78. Tanaka, K. L., J. A. Skinner Jr., and T. M. Hare (2005), Geologic map of the northern plains of Mars, scale 1:15,000,000, U.S. Geol. Surv. Misc. Invest. Map, SIM-2888.
79. Toramaru, A., and T. Matsumoto (2004), Columnar joint morphology and cooling rate: A starch-water mixture experiment, J. Geophys. Res., 109, B02205, doi:10.1029/2003JB002686.
80. Wharton, R. A., Jr., J. M. Crosby, C. P. McKay, and J. Rice Jr. (1995), Paleolakes on Mars, J. Paleolimnol., 13, 267-283.
81. Willden, R., and D. R. Mabey (1961), Giant desiccation fissures on the black rock and smoke creek deserts, Nevada, Science, 133, 1359-1360, doi:10.1126/science.133.3461.1359.
82. Wiseman, S. M., et al. (2008), Phyllosilicate and sulfate-hematite deposits within Miyamoto crater in southern Sinus Meridiani, Mars, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L19204, doi:10.1029/2008GL035363.
83. Wray, J. J., B. L. Ehlmann, S. W. Squyres, J. F. Mustard, and R. L. Kirk (2008), Compositional stratigraphy of clay-bearing layered deposits at Mawrth Vallis, Mars, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L12202, doi:10.1029/ 2008GL034385.
84. Wray, J. J., E. Z. Noe Dobrea, R. E. Arvidson, S. M. Wiseman, S. W. Squyres, A. S. McEwen, J. F. Mustard, and S. L. Murchie (2009), Phyllosilicates and sulfates at Endeavour Crater, Meridiani Planum, Mars, Geophys. Res. Lett., 36, L21201, doi:10.1029/2009GL040734.
85. Yoshikawa, K. (2000), Contraction cracking and ice wedge polygons in Mars, Mars Polar Sci., Abstract 4045.