Mars: volcanism and tectonism

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States)

OSTI ID:6594987

Greeley, R

Much of the geologic evolution of Mars is dominated by volcanism and tectonism. Mapping shows that >50% of the surface involves volcanic units. These units reflect a wide variety of volcanic styles, including flood eruptions, Hawaiian volcanism, phreatic eruptions, and extensive Strombolian activity. Although Mars appears to lack Earthlike plate tectonics, the planet also shows abundant evidence for rifting and extensional tectonism. The Tharsis region is the dominant tectonic province on Mars and several investigators have related the tectonic and volcanic processes to the interior of Mars and its thermal history. The region is a broad plateau approx. 4000 km across which stands >10 km above the surrounding plains. It is dominated by central volcanoes and volcanic plains which span a wide range in ages. The apex of the province is the Tharsis bulge, swelling centered at 0/sup 0/ latitude, 114/sup 0/W. Carr (1981) speculates that the origin of the bulge may be linked to mantle convection associated with the separation of the core. Detailed photogeological mapping by Scott and Tanaka (1981) shows that the emplacement of volcanic plains and the formation of central volcanoes occurred throughout the history of Tharsis. Solomon et al. (1979) suggest that older fault systems are best explained by an isostatic lithospheric model, whereas the younger volcanic terrains fit best with a flexural model and thus, there may have been a change in the evolution of the interior of Mars from a dynamic mantle to a more static mantle overlain by a relatively thick lithosphere.

• Research Organization: Arizona State Univ., Tempe (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6594987
• Report Number(s): CONF-8510489-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States) Journal Volume: 17
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
580100* -- Geology & Hydrology-- (-1989)
580201 -- Geophysics-- Seismology & Tectonics-- (1980-1989)
640107 -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ERUPTION
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
GEOMORPHOLOGY
MARS PLANET
PLANETS
TECTONICS
VOLCANISM
VOLCANOES