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Formation of Bright Terrain Bands on Ganymede by Unstable Lithosphere ExtensionThe surface of Ganymede, as seen in Voyager images, was greatly modified by tectonic activity. Geologic evidence is consistent with the formation of younger bright terrain by the emplacement of icy material into rift zones formed in the older dark terrain. To better understand the formation of both terrestrial rift zones and bright terrain bands on Ganymede, the mechanics of rift initiation by the growth of necking instabilities in an extending lithosphere are studied. In particular, how an initial, small perturbation in lithosphere thickness at the lithosphere/asthenosphere boundary is amplified by uniform horizontal extension is studied. The lithosphere is treated as a layer of power-law viscous fluid of thickness H overlying a weaker, viscous mantle substrate. In order to assess the relative importance of buoyant upwelling and mechanical instability in rift formation, both density and strength stratification were incorporated into the model.
Document ID
19850015174
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Other
Authors
Zuber, M. T.
(Brown Univ. Providence, RI, United States)
Parmentier, E. M.
(Brown Univ. Providence, RI, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: NASA, Washington Repts. of Planetary Geol. and Geophys. Program, 1984
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
85N23485
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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