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The construction of Chasma Boreale on Mars

Author

Listed:
  • J. W. Holt

    (Institute for Geophysics, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin 78758, Texas, USA)

  • K. E. Fishbaugh

    (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington 20560, District of Columbia, USA)

  • S. Byrne

    (Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721, Arizona, USA)

  • S. Christian

    (Institute for Geophysics, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin 78758, Texas, USA
    Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr 19010, Pennsylvania, USA)

  • K. Tanaka

    (Astrogeology Science Center, US Geological Survey, Flagstaff 86001, Arizona, USA)

  • P. S. Russell

    (Planetary Science Institute, Tucson 85719, Arizona, USA)

  • K. E. Herkenhoff

    (Astrogeology Science Center, US Geological Survey, Flagstaff 86001, Arizona, USA)

  • A. Safaeinili

    (Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena 91109, California, USA)

  • N. E. Putzig

    (Southwest Research Institute, Boulder 80302, Colorado, USA)

  • R. J. Phillips

    (Southwest Research Institute, Boulder 80302, Colorado, USA)

Abstract

Martian landmarks on the radar The northern polar cap of Mars, containing enough water to cover the entire planet to a depth of several metres, features two major landforms that stand above all others. These are the enormous canyon, Chasma Boreale, and a series of spiral troughs. The processes leading to their formation have remained unclear. Now two papers in this issue present detailed histories of both systems. John Holt and colleagues use penetrating radar imagery from Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's radar sounder to show that depositional processes — rather than a catastrophic event — formed the Chasma Boreale. Isaac Smith and John Holt use Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter data to rule out erosional cutting of polar ice as the cause of the central troughs, and instead conclude that they too are largely depositional, having migrated polewards and upwards in elevation in the past two million years.

Suggested Citation

  • J. W. Holt & K. E. Fishbaugh & S. Byrne & S. Christian & K. Tanaka & P. S. Russell & K. E. Herkenhoff & A. Safaeinili & N. E. Putzig & R. J. Phillips, 2010. "The construction of Chasma Boreale on Mars," Nature, Nature, vol. 465(7297), pages 446-449, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:465:y:2010:i:7297:d:10.1038_nature09050
    DOI: 10.1038/nature09050
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