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Mesoscale Raised Rim Depressions (MRRDs) on Earth: A Review of the Characteristics, Processes, and Spatial Distributions of Analogs for MarsFields of mesoscale raised rim depressions (MRRDs) of various origins are found on Earth and Mars. Examples include rootless cones, mud volcanoes, collapsed pingos, rimmed kettle holes, and basaltic ring structures. Correct identification of MRRDs on Mars is valuable because different MRRD types have different geologic and/or climatic implications and are often associated with volcanism and/or water, which may provide locales for biotic or prebiotic activity. In order to facilitate correct identification of fields of MRRDs on Mars and their implications, this work provides a review of common terrestrial MRRD types that occur in fields. In this review, MRRDs by formation mechanism, including hydrovolcanic (phreatomagmatic cones, basaltic ring structures), sedimentological (mud volcanoes), and ice-related (pingos, volatile ice-block forms) mechanisms. For each broad mechanism, we present a comparative synopsis of (i) morphology and observations, (ii) physical formation processes, and (iii) published hypothesized locations on Mars. Because the morphology for MRRDs may be ambiguous, an additional tool is provided for distinguishing fields of MRRDs by origin on Mars, namely, spatial distribution analyses for MRRDs within fields on Earth. We find that MRRDs have both distinguishing and similar characteristics, and observation that applies both to their mesoscale morphology and to their spatial distribution statistics. Thus, this review provides tools for distinguishing between various MRRDs, while highlighting the utility of the multiple working hypotheses approach.
Document ID
20120002540
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Burr, Devon M.
(Tennessee Univ. Knoxville, TN, United States)
Bruno, Barbara C.
(Hawaii Univ. Honolulu, HI, United States)
Lanagan, Peter D.
(College of Southern Nevada Henderson, NV, United States)
Glaze, Lori
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Jaeger, Windy L.
(Geological Survey Flagstaff, AZ, United States)
Soare, Richard J.
(Concordia Univ. Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
Tseung, Jean-Michel Wan Bun
(Dawson College Montreal, Canada)
Skinner, James A. Jr.
(Geological Survey Flagstaff, AZ, United States)
Baloga, Stephen M.
(Proxemy Research, Inc. Gaithersburg, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
December 6, 2008
Publication Information
Publication: Planetary and Space Science
Volume: 57
Issue: 6-May
Subject Category
Space Sciences (General)
Report/Patent Number
GSFC.JA.5560.2011
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNG05GP31G
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNG06GH12G
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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