Igneous dikes on Mars revealed by Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter topography

The origin of Martian grabens has remained controversial for decades, given the nonuniqueness of graben morphology and conflicting interpretations of dike-induced or faulting-based formation processes. We use measurements from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter to identify the characteristic topograph...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geology (Boulder) 2004-10, Vol.32 (10), p.889-892
Main Authors: Schultz, Richard A, Okubo, Chris H, Goudy, Cheryl L, Wilkins, Scott J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cartography
collapse structures
dikes
Extraterrestrial geology
faults
fissures
Geology
grabens
igneous rocks
intrusions
Mars
MOLA
planets
remote sensing
Rocks
systems
tectonics
terrestrial planets
Tharsis
topography
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Summary:The origin of Martian grabens has remained controversial for decades, given the nonuniqueness of graben morphology and conflicting interpretations of dike-induced or faulting-based formation processes. We use measurements from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter to identify the characteristic topographic signature at the surface of an igneous dike beneath a Martian graben. Our results suggest that this subtle but diagnostic signature can be used to test competing interpretations of the formation of grabens and associated fissures and collapse depressions.
ISSN:0091-7613
1943-2682
DOI:10.1130/G20548.1