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Gravity-Driven Differences in Fluvial Sediment Transport on Mars and Earth
Sefton-Nash, Elliot; Braat, Lisanne; Lamb, Michael P. +1 more
There is abundant evidence from fluvial landforms and deposits that Mars had rivers that actively transported sediment and shaped its surface. Sediment transport equations are playing a key role in quantifying river processes from these observations, which continue to increase in quality and quantity. In this study, we review sediment transport eq…
The Morphology of Martian Pyroclastic Ramparts and Their Use in Determining Vent-Proximal Eruption Dynamics
Wilson, L.; Pieterek, B.; Jones, T. J.
High-resolution investigations of Late Amazonian volcanic landforms provide previously unrevealed insights into the dynamics of Martian volcanic eruptions. On Earth, the formation of vent-proximal accumulations of spatter deposits is attributed to low-intensity lava fountaining episodes representing eruptions on the very edge of explosive activity…
Deciphering Martian Flood Infiltration Processes at Hebrus Valles: Insights From Laboratory Experiments and Remote Sensing Observations
Séjourné, A.; Kargel, J. S.; Costard, F. +2 more
In evaluating the unique geomorphology of Hebrus Valles on Mars, an outflow channel southeast of Utopia Planitia, we investigated the role of fluvial dynamics in forming subsurface conduits. Unlike typical Martian channels that terminate under younger sediment rocks, Hebrus Valles retains its downstream features, thus offering a window into surfac…
An Orbital Comparison of a Late Mantling Unit on Aeolis Mons With Other Erosion-Resistant Strata Explored by MSL in Gale Crater, Mars
Bennett, K.; Kite, E.; Bryk, A. B. +7 more
Previous investigations along Curiosity's traverse in Gale crater have explored the relationship between orbital and in situ observations. This work aims to better understand the geologic environment of units only observable from orbit and compare them to the properties of units examined by Curiosity. Here, we map an erosion-resistant dark-toned m…
Unraveling the Tectonic History of the Tharsis Rise on Mars: Plume Migration and Critical Taper Dome
Karagoz, Oguzcan; Kenkmann, Thomas; Hergarten, Stefan
Wrinkle ridges are widespread tectonic landforms that serve as paleo-strain and paleo-stress indicators of the compressional history and thermal evolution of Mars. To reconstruct the center of the Tharsis rise and its migration with time, we mapped wrinkle ridges in the periphery of the dome and analyzed 34,741 wrinkle ridge segments with a total …
Morphological and Structural Characterization of Shortening Landforms on Mars
Klimczak, Christian; McCullough, Leta R.; Crane, Kelsey T. +1 more
The lithosphere of Mars accommodates horizontal shortening through folding and faulting, producing landforms described as wrinkle ridges or lobate scarps. Despite this nomenclature, we lack a deep understanding of the drivers of morphological differences observed between landform types. This study aims to develop a quantitative model for shortenin…
Investigating the Linkage Between Spiral Trough Morphology and Cloud Coverage on the Martian North Polar Layered Deposits
Palucis, M. C.; Lutz, K. A.; Hawley, R. L.
The martian North Polar layered deposits (NPLD) are composed of alternating water-ice and dust-rich layers resulting from atmospheric deposition and are key to understanding Mars climate cycles. Within these deposits are spiral troughs whose migration affects deposition signals. To understand the relationship between NPLD stratigraphy and Martian …
EMM EMUS Observations of FUV Aurora on Mars: Dependence on Magnetic Topology, Local Time, and Season
Chaffin, Michael S.; Halekas, Jasper S.; Brain, David A. +14 more
We present a comprehensive study of the nightside aurora phenomenon on Mars, utilizing observations from EMUS onboard Emirates Mars Mission. The oxygen emission at 130.4 nm is by far the brightest FUV auroral emission line observed at Mars. Our statistical analysis reveals geographic, solar zenith angle, local time, and seasonal dependencies of au…
Coarse-Grained Ripples Investigated by the Opportunity Rover on Meridiani Planum, Mars
Kozakiewicz, J.; Dluzewski, M.; Rotnicka, J. +9 more
Aeolian coarse-grained ripples have been found in all regions investigated by Mars rovers: Meridiani Planum, Gusev crater, Gale crater, and Jezero crater. Therefore, it can be assumed that coarse-grained ripples are one of the most common landforms on Mars. Studying their formation and evolution gives us the opportunity to determine past and curre…
Large Glacier-Like Forms on Mars: Insights From Crater Morphologies and Crater Retention Ages
El-Maarry, M. R.; Driver, G.; Hubbard, B. +1 more
Glacier-Like Forms (GLFs) are a subset of ice-rich landforms known as Viscous Flow Features that populate Mars' mid-latitudes. GLFs are morphologically similar to terrestrial valley glaciers and are thought to result from the redistribution of water ice from the Martian poles during periods of high obliquity throughout the Amazonian period. Their …