Constraints on early events in Martian history as derived from the cratering record

Barlow, N G

Title: Constraints on early events in Martian history as derived from the cratering record

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Abstract

The shapes and densities of crater size-frequency distribution curves are used to constrain two major events early in Martian history: termination of high obliteration rates and viability of the multiple impact origin of the crustal dichotomy. Distribution curves of fresh craters superposed on uplands, intercrater plains, and ridged plains display shapes and densities indicative of formation prior to the end of heavy bombardment. This observation correlates with other geologic evidence, suggesting a major change in the erosional regime following the last major basin size impact (i.e., Argrye). In addition, the multisloped nature of the curves supports the idea that the downturn in the crater size-frequency distribution curves reflects the size-frequency distribution of the impactors rather than being the result of erosion. The crustal dichotomy formed prior to the heavy bombardment intermediate epoch based on distribution curves of knobby terrain; if the dichotomy resulted from a single gigantic impact, this observation places constraints on when this event happened. An alternate theory for dichotomy formation, the multiple-impact basin idea, is questioned: since distribution curves of large basins as well as heavy bombardment era units are not represented by a {minus}3 differential power law function, this study finds fewer basins missing on Marsmore »« less

Authors:

Barlow, N G ^[1]

Lunar and Planetary Institute, Houston, TX (USA)

Publication Date:: Thu Aug 30 00:00:00 EDT 1990

OSTI Identifier:: 5313956

Report Number(s):: CONF-9001119-
Journal ID: ISSN 0148-0227; CODEN: JGREA; TRN: 91-023764

Resource Type:: Conference

Journal Name:: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

Additional Journal Information:: Journal Volume: 95:B9; Conference: 4. international conference on Mars, Tucson, AZ (United States), 10-13 Jan 1990; Journal ID: ISSN 0148-0227

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

Subject:: 71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS; MARS PLANET; GEOLOGY; PLANETARY EVOLUTION; COLLISIONS; COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS; CRATERS; DENSITY; DISTRIBUTION; EROSION; MARINER SPACE PROBES; MERCURY PLANET; MOON; ORIGIN; VIKING SPACE PROBES; CAVITIES; EVALUATION; PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; PLANETS; SATELLITES; SOLAR SYSTEM EVOLUTION; SPACE VEHICLES; VEHICLES; 640107* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Planetary Phenomena

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                    Barlow, N G. Constraints on early events in Martian history as derived from the cratering record.  United States: N. p., 1990. 
        Web.

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                    Barlow, N G. Constraints on early events in Martian history as derived from the cratering record.  United States.

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                    Barlow, N G. 1990.  
        "Constraints on early events in Martian history as derived from the cratering record".  United States.

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@article{osti_5313956,

  title        = {Constraints on early events in Martian history as derived from the cratering record},

  author       = {Barlow, N G},

  abstractNote = {The shapes and densities of crater size-frequency distribution curves are used to constrain two major events early in Martian history: termination of high obliteration rates and viability of the multiple impact origin of the crustal dichotomy. Distribution curves of fresh craters superposed on uplands, intercrater plains, and ridged plains display shapes and densities indicative of formation prior to the end of heavy bombardment. This observation correlates with other geologic evidence, suggesting a major change in the erosional regime following the last major basin size impact (i.e., Argrye). In addition, the multisloped nature of the curves supports the idea that the downturn in the crater size-frequency distribution curves reflects the size-frequency distribution of the impactors rather than being the result of erosion. The crustal dichotomy formed prior to the heavy bombardment intermediate epoch based on distribution curves of knobby terrain; if the dichotomy resulted from a single gigantic impact, this observation places constraints on when this event happened. An alternate theory for dichotomy formation, the multiple-impact basin idea, is questioned: since distribution curves of large basins as well as heavy bombardment era units are not represented by a {minus}3 differential power law function, this study finds fewer basins missing on Mars compare to the Moon and Mercury than previously reported. The area covered by these missing basins is less than that covered the northern plains.},

  doi          = {},

  url          = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5313956},
  journal      = {Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)},

  issn         = {0148-0227},

  number       = ,

  volume       = 95:B9,

  place        = {United States},

  year         = {Thu Aug 30 00:00:00 EDT 1990},

  month        = {Thu Aug 30 00:00:00 EDT 1990}

}

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