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Gravity and lithospheric stress on the terrestrial planets with reference to the Tharsis region of MarsOn Mars and Venus, a strong positive correlation is found between geoid height and topography. The Tharsis region of Mars provides an exhibition of this correlation. Several hypotheses have been proposed regarding the origin of Tharsis. For purposes of explanation, three end-member dynamic hypotheses are considered. A hypothesis that the flexural doming of Tharsis resulted from uplift caused by some force acting on the base of the lithosphere can be rejected. According to another hypothesis, Tharsis is associated with a lithospheric load, while a third one considers that Tharsis is primarily isostatically compensated. In the present study, improved stress models for isostatic compensation on Mars are obtained. The strains inferred from fracture patterns on Mars are compared with the stresses predicted by the isostatic theory. It is found that the computed stresses are in reasonable agreement with tectonic features on Mars.
Document ID
19850052415
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Sleep, N. H.
(Stanford University Stanford, CA, United States)
Phillips, R. J.
(Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
May 10, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 90
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
85A34566
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF EAR-80-01076
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF EAR-83-12935
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF EAR-81-15522
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-459
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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