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Surficial Studies of Mars Using Cosmogenic NuclidesCosmogenic nuclides (CNs) are produced by cosmic-ray nuclear interactions with target nuclei in rocks, soils, ice, and the atmosphere. Cosmogenic nuclides have been widely used for investigation of solar system matter for several decades. Stable nuclides, such as He-3, Ne-21, and Ar-38, are built up over time as the surface is exposed to cosmic rays. The concentrations of cosmogenic radionuclides, such as Be-10, Al-26, and C-14 also build up with exposure time but reach saturation values after several half-lives. Especially since the development of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), CNs in terrestrial samples have been routinely used for geomorphic studies such as glaciation, surface erosion, and tectonics, and studies of atmospheric and ocean circulation. Cosmogenic nuclides on Mars will be able to answer questions of exposure ages, erosion rates, tectonic events, and deposition rates of sediments and/or volatiles. The concentrations of cosmogenic stable nuclides give the integrated exposure time of the rock/mineral, and the activities of radionuclides give recent records for times back as long as a few half-lives.
Document ID
20010122749
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Nishiizumi, K.
(California Univ. Berkeley, CA United States)
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2001
Publication Information
Publication: Field Trip and Workshop on the Martian Highlands and Mojave Desert Analogs
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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