Tectonic and volcanic evolution of dark terrain and its implications for the internal structure and evolution of Ganymede

The origins of the ancient dark terrain on Ganymede and its three furrow systems are investigated using detailed geologic mapping of the furrows and dark-terrain units, observations and crater density measurements, and calculations of relative crater ages of material units. The results of the analysis are used to develop a hypothesis of the early evolution of Ganymede. Multiple testable models of furrow origin are presented.