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Performances of ground penetrating radars in arid volcanic regions: Consequences for Mars subsurface exploration
Author(s) -
Paillou Ph.,
Grandjean G.,
Malézieux J.M.,
Ruffié G.,
Heggy E.,
Piponnier D.,
Dubois P.,
Achache J.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/1999gl008449
Subject(s) - mars exploration program , geology , volcano , radar , arid , depth sounding , evaporite , ground penetrating radar , context (archaeology) , earth science , exploration of mars , remote sensing , geophysics , astrobiology , geochemistry , sedimentary rock , paleontology , oceanography , physics , telecommunications , computer science
A GPR field experiment in the Republic of Djibouti provides evidence for very low radar penetration in arid volcanic materials, in the range 100–500 MHz. This phenomenon is attributed to the high iron oxide and evaporite concentration in soils, which significantly increases the conductivity, thus leading to poor subsurface imaging performances. The geologic context in Djibouti is shown to provide a good terrestrial analogue to Mars geology. Results of this study show that the future sounding radar missions to Mars may not reach the penetration depths previously anticipated.