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Thermal Modeling of Permafrost Melt by Overlying Lava Flows with Applications to Flow-associated Outflow Channel Volumes in the Cerberus Plains, MarsThe Cerberus region of Mars has numerous geologically recent fluvial and volcanic features superimposed spatially, with some of them using the same flow channels and apparent vent structures. Lava-water interaction landforms such as psuedocraters suggest some interaction of emplacing lava flows with underlying ground ice or water. This study investigates a related interaction type a region where the emplaced lava might have melted underlying ice in the regolith, as there are small outflow channel networks emerging from the flank flows of a lava shield over a portion of the Eastern Cerberus Rupes. Specifically, we use high-resolution Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) topography to constrain channel and flow dimensions, and thus estimate the thermal pulse from the emplaced lava into the substrate and the resulting melting durations and refreezing intervals. These preliminary thermal models indicate that the observed flows could easily create thermal pulse(s) sufficient to melt enough ground ice to fill the observed fluvial small outflow channels. Depending on flow eruption timing and hydraulic recharge times, this system could easily have produced multiple thermal pulses and fluvial releases. This specific case suggests that regional small water releases from similar cases may be more common than suspected, and that there is a possibility for future fluvial releases if ground ices are currently present and future volcanic eruptions in this young region are possible.
Document ID
20030110991
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Chase, Z. A. J.
(Morehouse Coll. Atlanta, GA, United States)
Sakimoto, S. E. H.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2003
Publication Information
Publication: Lunar and Planetary Science XXXIV
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-12287
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-11150
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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