The Global Topography of Mars and Implications for Surface Evolution

Elevations measured by the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter have yielded a high-accuracy global map of the topography of Mars. Dominant features include the low northern hemisphere, the Tharsis province, and the Hellas impact basin. The northern hemisphere depression is primarily a long-wavelength effec...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1999-05, Vol.284 (5419), p.1495-1503
Main Authors: Smith, David E., Zuber, Maria T., Solomon, Sean C., Phillips, Roger J., Head, James W., Garvin, James B., Banerdt, W. Bruce, Muhleman, Duane O., Pettengill, Gordon H., Neumann, Gregory A., Lemoine, Frank G., Abshire, James B., Aharonson, Oded, Brown, C. David, Hauck, Steven A., Ivanov, Anton B., McGovern, Patrick J., Zwally, H. Jay, Duxbury, Thomas C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astronomy
Cosmochemistry. Extraterrestrial geology
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Ellipsoids
Evolution, Planetary
Exact sciences and technology
Extraterrestrial Environment
Extraterrestrial geology
Geography
Ice
Impact basins
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Mars
Mars (Planet)
Mars probes
Natural history
Northern hemisphere
Observations
Polar caps
Skilled Workers
Southern hemisphere
Space life sciences
Surface water
Topographical elevation
Topography
Water
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Summary:Elevations measured by the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter have yielded a high-accuracy global map of the topography of Mars. Dominant features include the low northern hemisphere, the Tharsis province, and the Hellas impact basin. The northern hemisphere depression is primarily a long-wavelength effect that has been shaped by an internal mechanism. The topography of Tharsis consists of two broad rises. Material excavated from Hellas contributes to the high elevation of the southern hemisphere and to the scarp along the hemispheric boundary. The present topography has three major drainage centers, with the northern lowlands being the largest. The two polar cap volumes yield an upper limit of the present surface water inventory of 3.2 to 4.7 million cubic kilometers.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.284.5419.1495