Difference between revisions of "Elysium quadrangle"
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Some places in the Elysium quadrangle are young geological. Some researchers call them Platy-Ridged-Polygonized terrain. The surface of this terrain has been suggested to be pack ice, basalt lava, or muddy flows. HiRISE images show the heights of the surface ridges to be usually less than 2 meters. This is far less than what is expected from lava flows. In addition the high resolution photos of HiRISE indicates that the surface appears to flow. This would not occur with pack ice. So, the researchers concluded that muddy flows cover the surface.<ref>Yue, Z., et al. 2017. AN INVESTIGATION OF THE HYPOTHESES FOR FORMATION OF THE PLATY-RIDGEDPOLYGONIZED TERRAIN IN ELYSIUM PLANITIA, MARS. Lunar and Planetary Science XLVIII (2017). 1770.pdf</ref> For a while, many believed the surface was made of ice flows, which it resembles. | Some places in the Elysium quadrangle are young geological. Some researchers call them Platy-Ridged-Polygonized terrain. The surface of this terrain has been suggested to be pack ice, basalt lava, or muddy flows. HiRISE images show the heights of the surface ridges to be usually less than 2 meters. This is far less than what is expected from lava flows. In addition the high resolution photos of HiRISE indicates that the surface appears to flow. This would not occur with pack ice. So, the researchers concluded that muddy flows cover the surface.<ref>Yue, Z., et al. 2017. AN INVESTIGATION OF THE HYPOTHESES FOR FORMATION OF THE PLATY-RIDGEDPOLYGONIZED TERRAIN IN ELYSIUM PLANITIA, MARS. Lunar and Planetary Science XLVIII (2017). 1770.pdf</ref> For a while, many believed the surface was made of ice flows, which it resembles. | ||
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| + | <gallery class="center" widths="190px" heights="180px"> | ||
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| + | Image:Lava flow in Elysium.JPG|Lava flow in Elysium. There are many lava flows in Elysium. In this one, the lava flowed toward the upper right. Image taken by [[Mars Global Surveyor]], under the MOC Public Targeting Program. | ||
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| + | ESP 051990 2045lavaflows.jpg|Lava flow, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program [[Dark slope streaks]] are also visible | ||
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| + | Image:Lava flows in Elysium.JPG|Lava flows in Elysium as seen by [[HiRISE]]. Upper part of image shows lava that solidified on the top then crumpled as lava still moved. | ||
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| + | File:ESP 053269 2080lavaflow.jpg|Lava flow, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program | ||
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| + | File:ESP 054891 2040lavarafts.jpg|Lava rafts, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program | ||
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| + | </gallery> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 09:41, 28 February 2020
| MC-15 | Elysium | 0–30° N | 135–180° E | Quadrangles | Atlas |
This quadrangle was named after Elysium, a place of reward (Heaven), according to Homer in the Odyssey.[1]
The Elysium quadrangle covers the area between 180° to 225° west longitude and 0° to 30° north latitude on Mars. A small part of the Medusae Fossae Formation lies in this quadrangle. Eddie, Lockyer, and Tombaugh are the largest craters in the Elysium quadrangle. Elysium Mons and Albor Tholus are large volcanoes in this quadrangle. Just outside the boundaries of Elysium quadrangle sits another large volcano called Hecates. There are possible giant river valleys in this area. Athabasca Valles may be one of the youngest on the planet. A large lake may once have existed in the south near Lethe Valles and Athabasca Valles.[2]
The InSight lander touched down in the southern part of this quadrangle in 2018 and is now gathering data especially on Marsquakes.
Volcanoes
The area near the volcanoes of Elysium is covered with lava flows. On close examination, some flows can even be seen to approach and then stop when reaching higher ground. (See pictures below for examples) The top of a lava flow often cools quickly , forming a hard crust, but it still moves under the crust. Such movement breaks up the top layer making it very rough.[3] Such rough flow is called aa lava. The lava flows here are of the aa variety.
Some places in the Elysium quadrangle are young geological. Some researchers call them Platy-Ridged-Polygonized terrain. The surface of this terrain has been suggested to be pack ice, basalt lava, or muddy flows. HiRISE images show the heights of the surface ridges to be usually less than 2 meters. This is far less than what is expected from lava flows. In addition the high resolution photos of HiRISE indicates that the surface appears to flow. This would not occur with pack ice. So, the researchers concluded that muddy flows cover the surface.[4] For a while, many believed the surface was made of ice flows, which it resembles.
Lava flow in Elysium. There are many lava flows in Elysium. In this one, the lava flowed toward the upper right. Image taken by Mars Global Surveyor, under the MOC Public Targeting Program.
Lava flow, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program Dark slope streaks are also visible
Lava flows in Elysium as seen by HiRISE. Upper part of image shows lava that solidified on the top then crumpled as lava still moved.
Lava flow, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
Lava rafts, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
References
- ↑ Blunck, J. 1982. Mars and its Satellites. Exposition Press. Smithtown, N.Y.
- ↑ "Cabrol, N 2010">Cabrol, N. and E. Grin (eds.). 2010. Lakes on Mars. Elsevier. NY.
- ↑ http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/PSP_010744_1840 | title=Southern Margin of Cerberus Palus (PSP_010744_1840) |
- ↑ Yue, Z., et al. 2017. AN INVESTIGATION OF THE HYPOTHESES FOR FORMATION OF THE PLATY-RIDGEDPOLYGONIZED TERRAIN IN ELYSIUM PLANITIA, MARS. Lunar and Planetary Science XLVIII (2017). 1770.pdf
