A power-law relation of surface roughness and ages of alluvial fans in a hyperarid environment: A case study in the Dead Sea area

Su, Qiang; Ren, Junjie; Liang, Oubo

doi:10.1177/03091333221118641

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…However, given the complex nature of Mars' environment, it is important to exercise caution. Relative dating can be estimated from boulder distribution patterns if a constrained geological process could be attached to it to explain boulder displacement and sorting, similar to terrestrial examples of alluvial surfaces (e.g., Hetz et al., 2016; Su et al., 2022). Such an application, though promising, would require further investigation to support the findings of this study and may be initially restricted to the northern lowlands.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Ice and Latitude‐Dependent Mantling on Boulder Distributions Across the Martian Northern Lowlands

Cohen‐Zada,

Hood,

Ewing

et al. 2024

JGR Planets

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Boulders are ubiquitous on rocky planets and provide valuable information about planetary processes. The abundance, size, and distribution of boulders offer insights into the primary processes that form them and the secondary processes that modify their position and size. However, the roles of varying environmental processes, including cryospheric processes, are poorly known. In this study, we analyze over 20 million boulders in the northern lowlands of Mars (50–70°N) to evaluate their distribution and identify environmental factors that might influence their clustering. We used spatial statistics to quantify the degree of boulder clustering across the northern plains. We found two latitudinal trends: overall decreasing clustering with increasing latitude (50–70°N) and a sub‐trend of increased clustering at higher latitudes (65–70°N). Our findings suggest that boulder distribution patterns are linked to the latitude‐dependent mantle (LDM) and subsurface ice. Boulders exhibit higher spatial clustering at higher latitudes, where the ice is thick and continuously present, and the LDM is more pristine. Lower clustering occurs at lower latitudes or regions where the ice loss is likely during interglacial periods, and the LDM degrades, exposing more boulders of varying sizes. We also discovered an anomalous region where boulder clustering is nearly random, located on the edge of the Alba Mons Patera. This area displays distinct geophysical characteristics compared to the rest of the lowlands. Although these characteristics do not indicate a specific process for the variation of boulder distribution in this study, the data suggest a coupling between cryospheric processes and boulder evolution, warranting further research.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%