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Polar Cap Formation on GanymedeSince thermal migration is not an effective mechanism for water transport in the polar regions at the Galilean satellites, some other process must be responsible for the formation of Ganymede's polar caps. It is proposed that Ganymede's polar caps are the optical manifestation of a process that began with the distribution of an ice sheet over the surface of Ganymede. The combined processes of impact gardening and thermal migration led, in regions at latitudes less than 40 to 45 deg., to the burial of some fraction of this ice, the migration of some to the polar caps margins, and a depletion of free ice in the optical surface. At higher latitudes, no process was effective in removing ice from the optical surface, so the remanants of the sheet are visible today.
Document ID
19850015175
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Other
Authors
Pilcher, C. B.
(Hawaii Univ. Hilo, HI, United States)
Shaya, E. J.
(Hawaii Univ. Hilo, HI, 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
85N23486
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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