Lava Flow Eruption Conditions in the Tharsis Volcanic Province on Mars

Peters, S. I.; Christensen, P. R.; Clarke, A. B.

doi:10.1029/2020je006791

Cited by 17 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 87 publications

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“…This thickness is within the range measured for the other flow fields with basal reflectors identified by SHARAD and the thicknesses calculated by Peters et al. (2021). SHARAD should be able to penetrate to the base of such a flow under ideal conditions (e.g., low loss tangent).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…We roughly estimate this portion of the central flow to be 43 m thick. This thickness is within the range measured for the other flow fields with basal reflectors identified by SHARAD and the thicknesses calculated by Peters et al (2021).…”

Section: Other Possible Controlssupporting

confidence: 85%

“…A recent investigation by Peters et al. (2021) examining eruption conditions found that lava flows in the Tharsis Province (including several in our region of interest) span a range of thicknesses, between 11 and 91 m. The Peters et al. (2021) investigation assumed a density of 2.7 g cm −3 , within the range of densities associated with terrestrial basalts; their models did not require invoking ultramafic or exotic lava compositions to replicate the flows in Tharsis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Many of these vents cluster near the base of the Tharsis Montes as well as along their rift aprons, and contribute to younger, late Amazonian‐aged (∼0.5 Ga to present) deposits (Tanaka et al., 2014). Constraining the composition of the volcanic deposits in Tharsis from orbit is complicated as it is covered in a regional dust layer (Christensen, 1986; Rogers & Christensen, 2007) However, it has been inferred that erupted lavas throughout Tharsis and in the vicinity of Ascraeus Mons likely have a basaltic composition (e.g., Bleacher et al., 2007; Lang et al., 2009; Peters et al., 2021; Viviano et al., 2019; Warner & Gregg, 2003; Werner, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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New Insights Into Subsurface Stratigraphy Northwest of Ascraeus Mons, Mars, Using the SHARAD and MARSIS Radar Sounders

et al. 2022

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The Tharsis Montes volcanoes on Mars are the source of laterally extensive lava flows and other volcanic deposits generating a complex stratigraphy throughout the Tharsis Volcanic Province. We use SHAllow RADar (SHARAD) and Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding (MARSIS) observations in a region northwest of Ascraeus Mons to determine the composition, density, thickness, and spatial distribution of these emplaced volcanic materials. We identified subsurface reflectors along 43 SHARAD and five MARSIS observations. Reflectors in the volcanic plains are interpreted to be sequences of basaltic lava flows with interspersed pyroclastic material, dust, or regolith during a hiatus in activity. Others correspond to the base of three major flow fields. Several plain reflectors were detected by both MARSIS and SHARAD. Other notable reflectors were identified near Ascraeus' flank where lava buried glacially derived sediment. We derived thickness and other material properties for flows using their distinct topographic boundary visible in the radar images. Permittivity ranged from 7.0 to 11.2 corresponding to lava flow densities of 3.20–3.52 g/cm3. Flow thicknesses ranged from 19.8 to 60.2 m. Loss tangents were low for the flow fields ranging from 0.024 to 0.043. Loss tangents in the plains ranged from 0.010 to 0.076. Higher loss tangents correspond to lossier regions that may have higher concentrations of radar absorbing minerals like hematite. Surface roughness controls where reflectors are detected. SHARAD detects the base of three out of the four flow fields in this region with muted surface roughness from dust mantling and erosion.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Other Possible Controlssupporting

confidence: 85%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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New Insights Into Subsurface Stratigraphy Northwest of Ascraeus Mons, Mars, Using the SHARAD and MARSIS Radar Sounders

et al. 2022

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“…Primary basalts are produced by decompression melting of the mantle in rising plumes, a process that likely produced a significant fraction of the crust (S. R. Taylor & McLennan, 2009) and has persisted until recently in the Tharsis and Elysium volcanic provinces (Horvath et al., 2021; Peters et al., 2021; Richardson et al., 2021; Werner, 2009). Several near‐primary basalts, analyzed in situ or sampled as meteorites are well characterized and their study has the potential to shed light on the mantle melting process (Collinet et al., 2017; Filiberto, Dasgupta, et al., 2010; McSween, Wyatt, et al., 2006; Monders et al., 2007; Musselwhite et al., 2006; Udry et al., 2014, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%