Pseudocraters on Mars
In the Cydonia region of southern Acidalium Planitia are small, low-relief, apparently volcanic domelike structures, whose size, morphology, and general occurrence suggest they are martian analogs of terrestrial pseudocraters, a type of phreatic eruption. Average base diameters are about 800 m, which is somewhat larger than typical Icelandic examples. All the domes have summit pits; elongate domes generally have elongate summit pits or, in extreme cases, double pits. The greatest concentration of these domes is in a region of subdued fractured plains which may be old volcanic flows. Pseudocraters on the earth are produced when lava flows over water-logged ground. On Mars surface or subsurface ice was the likely medium that produced the steam eruptions resulting in cratered domelike structures on the lava surface.
- Research Organization:
- Geophysics Branch, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771
- OSTI ID:
- 5363693
- Journal Information:
- J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Vol. 84:B14
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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