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J.L. Heldmann, M.T. Mellon (University of Colorado, Boulder)
The discovery of geologically recent gully features on Mars [Malin and Edgett 2000] has spawned a wide variety of proposed theories of their origin including water versus carbon dioxide based erosion and shallow versus deep fluid sources. To test the validity of such gully formation mechanisms, data from the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft has been analyzed to uncover trends in the dimensional and physical properties of the gullies and their surrounding terrain. Over 100 Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) images containing clear evidence of gully landforms, distributed in the southern mid and high latitudes, have been analyzed in combination with Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) data to provide quantitative measurements of numerous gully characteristics. Parameters measured include apparent source depth and distribution, vertical and horizontal dimensions, slopes, compass orientations, and present-day climatic conditions. Observed trends will be presented and compared with several proposed mechanisms of gully formation to place additional constraints on such gully models.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 35 #4
© 2003. The American Astronomical Soceity.