The present-day thermal state of Mars

Ruíz, Javier; López, Valle; Dohm, J. M.

doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2010.01.016

Cited by 19 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…For anchoring our nominal model, we use a heat flow of 17 mW m −2 derived (see Methods Section) for an effective elastic thickness of the lithosphere of 300 km at the NPR, which was derived from the limited response to loading in this region13; lithosphere strength at the NPR currently constitutes the more reliable heat flow indicator for the present-day Mars15.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Present-day heat flow model of Mars

Parro

Jiménez‐Díaz

Mansilla

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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Until the acquisition of in-situ measurements, the study of the present-day heat flow of Mars must rely on indirect methods, mainly based on the relation between the thermal state of the lithosphere and its mechanical strength, or on theoretical models of internal evolution. Here, we present a first-order global model for the present-day surface heat flow for Mars, based on the radiogenic heat production of the crust and mantle, on scaling of heat flow variations arising from crustal thickness and topography variations, and on the heat flow derived from the effective elastic thickness of the lithosphere beneath the North Polar Region. Our preferred model finds heat flows varying between 14 and 25 mW m−2, with an average value of 19 mW m−2. Similar results (although about ten percent higher) are obtained if we use heat flow based on the lithospheric strength of the South Polar Region. Moreover, expressing our results in terms of the Urey ratio (the ratio between total internal heat production and total heat loss through the surface), we estimate values close to 0.7–0.75, which indicates a moderate contribution of secular cooling to the heat flow of Mars (consistent with the low heat flow values deduced from lithosphere strength), unless heat-producing elements abundances for Mars are subchondritic.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, admittance modelling of the South Polar Region (hereafter SPR) found a best fit for T e of 161 km14. These effective elastic thicknesses can be used to estimate the present-day heat flow in those regions (refs 11,13,15; see also below), because polar caps (and the associated loading) are a recent phenomenon16.…”

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confidence: 97%

Present-day heat flow model of Mars

Parro

Jiménez‐Díaz

Mansilla

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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“…Models predict the current martian heat flow to be in the range of 5-25 mW/m 2 (e.g. McGovern, 2002;Ruiz et al, 2010;Solomon and Head, 1990); however, in the past it might have varied between 30 and 65 mW/m 2 or higher (Grott et al, 2007;Ruiz, 2014). The decrease in Mars' deep geothermal gradient would have caused the gradual downwards migration of the base of the frozen crust.…”

Section: Evolution Of Volatiles Through Timementioning

confidence: 99%

Using martian single and double layered ejecta craters to probe subsurface stratigraphy

Jones

Osinski

2015

Icarus

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“…This low heat flow could be indicative of sub-chondritic heat-producing elements abundances (Phillips et al, 2008), a limited influence of secular cooling and fossil heat (Ruiz et al, 2010), or simply a regional variability of surface heat flow (Phillips et al, 2008;Kiefer and Li, 2009;Breuer, 2009, 2010). This debate clearly shows the profound implications that current or ancient surface heat flow estimates, deduced from geological or geophysical indicators of the thermal state of the lith osphere, have for understanding the thermal history of Mars.…”

Section: Introduction Abstractmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Specifically, the amount and distribution of litho spheric heat-producing elements (HPE) and the values of the thermal conductivity of crust and mantle can affect the results sub stantially (Ruiz et al, 2006a(Ruiz et al, , 2010. Heat flow estimates typically have not included HPE in the calculations: this omission reduces the calculated surface heat flow but increases calculated mantle heat flow and temperatures in the lower crust.…”

Section: Introduction Abstractmentioning

confidence: 99%