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Headward growth of chasmata by volatile outbursts, collapse, and drainage: Evidence from Ganges chaos, Mars
Author(s) -
Rodriguez J. A. P.,
Kargel Jeffrey,
Crown David A.,
Bleamaster Leslie F.,
Tanaka Kenneth L.,
Baker Victor,
Miyamoto Hideaki,
Dohm James M.,
Sasaki Sho,
Komatsu Goro
Publication year - 2006
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 - 10.1029/2006gl026275
Subject(s) - geology , clathrate hydrate , martian , outflow , groundwater , permafrost , petrology , mars exploration program , geomorphology , geochemistry , astrobiology , hydrate , geotechnical engineering , physics , chemistry , oceanography , organic chemistry
The nature and significance of collapse processes in Capri, Eos, and Ganges Chasmata remain poorly understood. Using Ganges Chasma as a type locality, these chasmata are interpreted to be the result of clustering and assimilation of multiple chaotic terrains, which primarily formed by localized depressurization‐induced or thermally‐triggered dissociation of buried gas clathrate hydrates and explosive eruption of gas‐saturated ground water. Such crustal destabilization could have been triggered by (1) deep fracture propagation from the Martian surface, (2) magmatic intrusions and associated heating and inflation‐induced terrain fracturing, and/or (3) climatic thaw and thinning/weakening of the permafrost over the clathrate and gas‐rich groundwater zones. Volume increases associated with release of gases contributed to the expulsion of groundwater and fluidized sediments at the surface, thereby carving the higher outflow channels peripheral to the chasmata and the lower outflow channel floors of the chasmata and outflow channels.