Geological Features In this section, we’ll explore many dierent geological featu

Question

Geological Features In this section, we’ll explore many dierent geological features on Mars. A list of named features will be provided shortly, but first lets define some geological features and how to recognize them. Impact Craters - Impact craters are very circular, usually characterized by lower ele- vations within a crater rim. Volcanos - Volcanos rise above the surrounding terrain and are characterized by high eleva- tions. Mars’ volcanos are of the shield volcano variety (circular) as there hasn’t been plate tectonics on Mars for a very very long time. They are characterized by high elevations (very high in the case of Mars). Rift Valleys - Rift valleys are caused by a fracture in the crust, either through heavy impacts or plate tectonics. They are characterized by having fairly straight canyons. Deltas - When a canyon or delta is formed by water, there are a lot of twists and turns creating a very meandering path that is quite distinguishable from a rift valley. For this next part, you can use the search feature on the upper left. However, BE- WARE that when you hit enter it will zoom you into the center of the feature, you have to zoom out to see the whole feature. Also, you may use whichever map you choose. You should switch back and forth between the visible and the colorized terrain to help you recognized the overall feature. Though I won’t require you to list the elevations, I recommend taking a moment or two to recognize how dramatic the elevation changes can be on Mars. 11) For the following named features, list which type of geological feature it is AND provide justification for why you think it is that feature. i) Valles Marineris - ii) Kasei Valles - iii) Hecates Tholus - iv) Argyre Planitia - Albedo Albedo is a measure of the the variations of dark and light of a surface. A surface such as ice or fine dust grain will appear very light and have a high albedo, whereas a surface made up of dark volcanic soil will have a low albedo. When looking at images, the albedo can give us a clue as to the composition of the surface. Switch to the Viking Imagery map. Search for Syrtis Major Planum. This is an impor- tant feature as it allowed astronomers to measure the rotation rate of Mars for the first time. Remember, zoom out until you can see the entire feature (Planum means Plain). 12) How does the albedo of Syrtis Major compare to its surroundings (higher or lower)? 13) Based on the albedo, what do you suppose might have caused Syrtis Major (men- tioned in the opening paragraph of this section)? 14) Return to Hellas Planitia, How does it’s albedo compare to Syrtis Major? 15) What do you suppose makes up the surface of Hellas Planitia? Daytime Infrared Like albedo, the daytime infrared map can give us information about the material of a surface. A daytime infrared map will show warm objects as light colored, and cold objects as dark colored. Sometimes this brings out features that are not obvious in the visible im- agery. Dark objects heat up faster because they absorb more sunlight, so something with a low albedo is likely to appear light on an infrared map. Light objects heat up slower because they reflect more sunlight and they would appear on an infrared map darker. Search for Pettit Crater. Obviously, this is a crater, but there is more to it. Switch to the daytime infrared map. Look at the long-white smear coming from the center of the crater extending outward toward the south. Remember that you are looking at this in the infrared. 16) How does the elevation within the crater change as you move from the center to in between the center and the crater wall? 17) Based on the change in elevation, and the likely composition of the material mak- ing this smear, what do you infer caused this long white smear? Rovers Google Earth has data built in from the rover missions. In the layers panel (bottom left). Make sure the drop down menu for “Mars Gallery” is open. Click on the arrow if it is not. Then click on the arrow for “Rovers and Landers,” and double click on “MER Opportunity Lander.” 18) Why do you think this site was chosen to land the rover (there are many reasons, try to think of at least one)? The camera icons represent actual surface photos from the rover. You can click on these photos and they will give you detailed descriptions. If you click on the “Fly into this high- resolution photo,” you will be able to view these locations as if you were there. Look for Victoria Crater along the rover path, either choose a photo or zoom in manually until you can see the bumps and ridges in the center of the crater. 19) What do you suppose these bumps and ridges are? Extra Credit (quarter point each) Search “Face of Mars” e.c. 1) Can you see the face? What is this geological feature? e.c. 2) There is an alien that lives there named Meliza. Double click on Meliza and chat, is this alien friendly, or kind of mean? Zoom out so you are well above the ground. Select Tools ! Enter Flight Simulator ! Start Flight. e.c. 3) Where you able to fly very long? If you were able to fly fairly well, I’ve had students in the past who went to Valles Marineris and flew right down the canyon! There are other cool places you could go that we explored in this lab, like Kasai Valles and Olympus Mons. Have fun!

Explanation / Answer

Answer:11

Valles Marineris are the valleys as the feature have negative elevtion of -3 km, Kasei Valles are the delta as it represents little elevated region with near twisting of stream area, Hecates Tholus are volcano rise as it represents conical uplifted area by comparing surrounding, Argyre Planitia are the crater as it represents cicular depression area by comparing surrounding.

Answer:12

Syrtis Major Planum shows lower albedo as it have dark complexion wit respect to surrounding.

Answer:13

According to given description about albedo, Syrtis Major Planum have volcanic soil that is why it shows dark complexion.

Answer:14

Hellas Planitia have high albedo in comparision to Syrtis Major.

Answer:15

Hellas Planitia may be made up of light colour soil that is why it have high complexion with respect to Syrtis Major.

Answer:16

The change in the elevation is like sinusoidal wave, as it more at center and as moves away from center it become low and again become high.

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