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Forward mechanical modeling of the Amenthes Rupes Thrust Fault on Mars
Author(s) -
Schultz Richard A.,
Watters Thomas R.
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 - 10.1029/2001gl013468
Subject(s) - geology , mars exploration program , thrust fault , seismology , lithosphere , martian , thrust , fault (geology) , offset (computer science) , tectonics , astrobiology , physics , computer science , programming language , thermodynamics
Amenthes Rupes overlies one of the largest thrust faults on Mars, with structural topography accurately measured by MOLA. Forward mechanical models successfully predict the surface topography across this large contractional structure. The best‐fitting fault parameters are: fault dip angle, 25‐30°; depth of faulting, 25‐30 km; and fault offset, 1.5 km. These first‐order results are insensitive to either the offset distribution along the fault or crustal material properties. Both very shallow (e.g., ∼15 km) and very deep (∼45 km) depths of faulting can be ruled out, as can significantly different dips and offset magnitudes. Amenthes Rupes may span the ancient seismogenic lithosphere in the Martian Noachian highlands, implying maximum values at the time of faulting for heat flux of ∼54‐70 mW m −2 and paleogeothermal gradient of 15‐20 K km −1 .