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Comments on the gravity and topography of Mars

Journal Article · · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)
The long-wavelength variations in the Martian and terrestrial potential and topography have been compared in an attempt to understand the origin of the Mars gravity field, and to estimate the average lithospheric thickness of Mars. The geopotential and topographic power spectra of Mars contain more absolute power in the low degree harmonics (l<7) than the corresponding terrestrial spectra and the two quantities correlate positively for low degrees. The two planets also differ from each other in that density anomalies in the Mars crust and lithosphere contribute more to the long wavelength gravity field than they do in the earth.The contributions to gravity density anomalies in the lithosphere and mantle cannot be separated but it does appear that the Martian lithosphere is much thicker than the earth's and that its mantle may be relatively less heterogeneous than the terrestrial mantle.
Research Organization:
Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, 2600, Australia
OSTI ID:
5842594
Journal Information:
J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 84:B10; ISSN JGREA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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