Unravelling the geological and geomorphological evolution of the Terra Cimmeria-Nepenthes Mensae transitional zone, Mars

• Published in: Geomorphology (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Netherlands), 2023-05, Vol.428, p.108641, Article 108641
• Main Authors: García-Arnay, Ángel, Gutiérrez, Francisco
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: deformation; Dichotomy boundary; evolution; geomorphology; landscapes; Mars; Planetary mapping; radar; spectral analysis; Tectonic geomorphology; tectonics; volcanic activity
• ISSN: 0169-555X; 1872-695X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2023.108641

The Terra Cimmeria-Nepenthes Mensae Transitional Zone comprises two highly contrasting geologic-geomorphic domains bounded by the dichotomy escarpment in the equatorial region of Mars. This research provides insight into the geological and geomorphological evolution of the poorly explored NW Terra Cimmeria and SE Nepenthes Mensae. A detailed study largely based on cartographic work and complemented by multiple analyses focused on crater densities, spectral data and radar profiles reveals that (1) the exposed geological record of this transitional zone formed over a long time-span from the Early Noachian to recent times, (2) the inferred compressional and extensional tectonic stresses shaped the landscape at least from the Late Noachian to Late Hesperian, and (3) extensional tectonics, which post-dated the compressional deformation, has controlled the development and evolution of the 2-km-high dichotomy escarpment, the system of NW-SE-oriented basins that used to host paleolakes from the Late Noachian to Late Hesperian, and the fissure volcanism in their deepest areas. These findings shed light into the fundamental morphogenetic role played by compressional and extensional tectonics, and fluvio-lacustrine activity on the configuration of the landscape in these regions. This work provides a reference geologic-geomorphologic framework for future studies in this area and other sectors along the highland-lowland transitional zone of Mars. •Geological-geomorphological framework of NW Terra Cimmeria and SE Nepenthes Mensae.•A rich and long-term geological history spanning from Early Noachian to recent times.•Compressional and extensional stresses occurred from Late Noachian to Late Hesperian.•Extensional tectonics controlled the development and evolution of the dichotomy.•Fluvio-lacustrine activity played a fundamental morphogenetic role on the landscape.