Current Science

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access

Evolution of Pyrrhae Fossae, Mars: an explication from the age estimation using the Buffered Crater Counting technique


Affiliations
1 Department of Geology, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata 700 073, India; Department of Geology, Asutosh College, 92, S.P. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata 700 026, India
2 Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Kanagawa 252-5210, Japan
3 Department of Geology, Asutosh College, 92, S.P. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata 700 026, India
4 Department of Geology, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata 700 073, India
5 Department of Earth and Planetary Science, School of Science, University of Tokyo, Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
 

Pyrrhae Fossae (PyFo) on Mars is a palaeo-extensional tectonic feature preserved within a Noachian basement in the north-western Noachis Terra (NT). We have tried to understand the possible origin of the stress responsible for the evolution of these tectonic structures and to correlate their formation with other global Martian events. We estimated the absolute model age of PyFo, using the Buffered Crater Counting (BCC) technique, which indicates that these extensional structures were formed at ~3.79 Ga, after the basement formation at ~3.98 Ga. Considering the ages and geology of the terrains adjoining the PyFo region, we propose that the regional scale flexural bending was promoted either in response to Tharsis-related volcano-tectonic load or thinning of northern lowlands producing extension at the upper crustal level, generating these fossae at the early stage of Martian evolution.

Keywords

Buffered Crater Counting, extension, flexure, Noachis Terra, Pyrrhae Fossae
User
Notifications
Font Size

  • Baker, V. R., Maruyama, S. and Dohm J. M., Tharsis superplume and the geological evolution of early Mars. In Superplumes: Beyond Plate Tectonics (eds Yuen, D. A. et al.), Springer, 2007, pp. 507–522.

  • Anderson, R. C. et al., Primary centers and secondary concentrations of tectonic activity through time in the western hemisphere of Mars. J. Geophys. Res. E Planets, 2001, 106(E9), 20563– 20585.

  • Anderson, R. C., Dohm, J. M., Haldemann, A. F. C., Pounders, E., Golombek, M. and Castano, A., Centers of tectonic activity in the eastern hemisphere of Mars. Icarus, 2008, 195(2), 537–546.

  • Acuña, M. H. et al., Global distribution of crustal magnetization discovered by the Mars Global Surveyor MAG/ER experiment. Science, 1999, 284(5415), 790–793.

  • Connerney, J. E. P. P. et al., Tectonic implications of Mars crustal magnetism. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 2005, 102(42), 14970–14975.

  • Mittelholz, A., Johnson, C. L., Feinberg, J. M., Langlais, B. and Phillips, R. J., Timing of the martian dynamo: New constraints for a core field 4.5 and 3.7 Ga ago. Sci. Adv., 2020, 6(18), 0513.

  • Banerdt, W. B. et al., Initial results from the InSight mission on Mars. Nat. Geosci., 2020, 13, 183–189.

  • Werner, S. C., The global martian volcanic evolutionary history. Icurus, 2009, 201(1), 44–68.

  • Golombek, M. P. and Bridges, N. T., Erosion rates on Mars and implications for climate change: constraints from the Pathfinder landing site. J. Geophys. Res., 2000, 105(E1), 1841–1853.

  • Carr, M. H. and Head III, J. W., Geologic history of Mars. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 2010, 294, 185–203.

  • Wichman, R. W. and Schultz, P. H., Sequence and mechanisms of deformation around the Hellas and Isidis Impact Basins on Mars. J. Geophys. Res., 1989, 94(B12), 17333.

  • Ruj, T., Komatsu, G., Pasckert, J. H. and Dohm, J. M., Timings of early crustal activity in southern highlands of Mars: periods of crustal stretching and shortening. Geosci. Front., 2019, 10(3), 1029–1037.

  • De, K., Kundu, A., Dasgupta, N. and Kawai, K., Establishing the control of pre-existing tectonic structures on the channel courses by orientation analyses: a case study from Noachis Terra and Margaritifer Terra, Mars. In Lunar Planet. Science Conference, 2020, p. 1932.

  • De, K., Dasgupta, N. and Kundu, A., A statistical approach to decipher the tectonic control on the geometry of Martian channels: case study from Pyrrhae Fossae, Noachis Terra, Mars. Planet. Space Sci., 2018, 164, 174–183.

  • De, K., Kundu, A., Chauhan, P. and Dasgupta, N., An example of consistent palaeostress regime resulting in morphometric irregularity in the northwestern part of Noachis Terra, Mars. Curr. Sci., 2015, 108(12), 2156–2159.

  • Tanaka, K. L., Robbins, S. J., Fortezzo, C. M., Skinner, J. A. and Hare, T. M., The digital global geologic map of Mars: chronostratigraphic ages, topographic and crater morphologic characteristics, and updated resurfacing history. Planet. Space Sci., 2014, 95, 11– 24.

  • Smith, D. E. et al., Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter: experiment summary after the first year of global mapping of Mars. J. Geophys. Res. E Planets, 2001, 106(E10), 23689–23722.

  • Christensen, P. R. et al., The thermal emission imaging system (THEMIS) for the Mars 2001 Odyssey Mission. Space Sci. Rev., 2004, 110, 85–130.

  • Jaumann, R. et al., The high-resolution stereo camera (HRSC) experiment on Mars express: instrument aspects and experiment conduct from interplanetary cruise through the nominal mission. Planet. Space Sci., 2007, 55, 928–952.

  • Neukum, G. and Jaumann, R., HRSC: the high resolution stereo camera of Mars express. Eur. Sp. Agency, Special Publ. ESA SP, 2004, 1240, 17–35.

  • Malin, M. C. et al., Context camera investigation on board the Mars reconnaissance orbiter. J. Geophys. Res., 2007, 112(E5), E05S04.

  • Kneissl, T., Van Gasselt, S. and Neukum, G., Map-projectionindependent crater size-frequency determination in GIS environments – new software tool for ArcGIS. Planet. Space Sci., 2011, 59, 1243–1254.

  • Michael, G. G. and Neukum, G., Planetary surface dating from crater size-frequency distribution measurements: Partial resurfacing events and statistical age uncertainty. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 2010, 294, 223–229.

  • Hartmann, W. K., Martian Cratering. Icarus, 1966, 5, 565–576.

  • Hartmann, W. K., Martian cratering III: theory of crater obliteration. Icarus, 1971, 15(3), 410–428.

  • Neukum, G. and Wise, D. U., Mars: a standard crater curve and possible new time scale. Science, 1976, 194(4272), 1381–1387.

  • Hartmann, W. K. and Neukum, G., Cratering chronology and the evolution of Mars. Space Sci. Rev., 2001, 96, 165–194.

  • Neukum, G. et al., The geologic evolution of Mars: episodicity of resurfacing events and ages from cratering analysis of image data and correlation with radiometric ages of Martian meteorites. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 2010, 294, 204–222.

  • Fassett, C. I., Analysis of impact crater populations and the geochronology of planetary surfaces in the inner solar system. J. Geophys. Res. E Planets, 2016, 121(10), 1900–1926.

  • Kneissl, T., Michael, G. G., Platz, T. and Walter, S. H. G., Age determination of linear surface features using the Buffered Crater Counting approach – case studies of the Sirenum and Fortuna Fossae graben systems on Mars. Icarus, 2015, 250, 384–394.

  • Tanaka, K. L., A new time-saving crater-count technique, with application to narrow features. In NASA Technical Memo, NASA, 1982, p. TM-85127.

  • Fassett, C. I. and Head, J. W., The timing of martian valley network activity: constraints from buffered crater counting. Icarus, 2008, 195(1), 61–89.

  • Basilevsky, A. T., Head, J. W., Fassett, C. I. and Michael, G., History of tectonic deformation in the interior plains of the Caloris basin, mercury. Sol. Syst. Res., 2011, 45, 471–497.

  • Fegan, E. R., Rothery, D. A., Conway, S. J., Anand, M. and Massironi, M., Linking the timing of volcanic and tectonic features on Mercury: results from buffered crater counting. In European Planetary Science Congress, 2014, pp. EPSC2014–444.

  • Giacomini, L., Massironi, M., Marchi, S., Fassett, C. I., Di Achille, G. and Cremonese, G., Age dating of an extensive thrust system on mercury: implications for the planet’s thermal evolution. Geol. Soc. Spec. Publ., 2015, 401, 291–311.

  • Ruj, T., Komatsu, G., Pondrelli, M., Di Pietro, I. and Pozzobon, R., Morphometric analysis of a Hesperian aged Martian lobate scarp using high-resolution data. J. Struct. Geol., 2018, 113, 1–9.

  • Yue, Z., Michael, G. G., Di, K. and Liu, J., Global survey of lunar wrinkle ridge formation times. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 2017, 477, 14–20.

  • Ruj, T. and Kawai, K., A global investigation of wrinkle ridge formation events; implications towards the thermal evolution of Mars. Icarus, 2021, 369, 114625.

  • Fassett, C. I. et al., Caloris impact basin: exterior geomorphology, stratigraphy, morphometry, radial sculpture, and smooth plains deposits. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 2009, 285, 297–308.

  • Fassett, C. I. et al., Lunar impact basins: stratigraphy, sequence and ages from superposed impact crater populations measured from Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) data. J. Geophys. Res. E Planets, 2012, 117(E12), E00H06.

  • Bamberg, M., Jaumann, R., Asche, H., Kneissl, T. and Michael, G. G., Floor-fractured craters on mars – observations and origin. Planet. Space Sci., 2014, 98, 146–162.

  • Ivanov, B. A., Mars/Moon cratering rate ratio estimates. Space Sci. Rev., 2001, 96, 87–104.

  • Werner, S. C. and Tanaka, K. L., Redefinition of the crater-density and absolute-age boundaries for the chronostratigraphic system of Mars. Icarus, 2011, 215(2), 603–607.

  • Michael, G. G., Planetary surface dating from crater size-frequency distribution measurements: multiple resurfacing episodes and differential isochron fitting. Icarus, 2013, 226(1), 885–890.

  • Werner, S. C., The early martian evolution – constraints from basin formation ages. Icarus, 2008, 195(1), 45–60.

  • Mangold, N. et al., The origin and timing of fluvial activity at Eberswalde crater, Mars. Icarus, 2012, 220(2), 530–551.

  • Robbins, S. J., Hynek, B. M., Lillis, R. J. and Bottke, W. F., Large impact crater histories of Mars: the effect of different model crater age techniques. Icarus, 2013, 225(1), 173–184.

  • Ruj, T., Komatsu, G., Dohm, J. M., Miyamoto, H. and Salese, F., Generic identification and classification of morphostructures in the Noachis-Sabaea region, southern highlands of Mars. J. Maps, 2017, 13(2), 755–766.

  • Golombek, M. P. and Phillips, R. J., Mars tectonics. In Planetary Tectonics (eds Watters, T. R. and Schultz, R. A.), Cambridge University Press, 2010, pp. 183–232.

  • Bouley, S., Baratoux, D., Paulien, N., Missenard, Y. and SaintBézar, B., The revised tectonic history of Tharsis. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 2018, 488, 126–133.

  • Banerdt, W. B., Phillips, R. J., Sleep, N. H. and Saunders, R. S., Thick shell tectonics on one-plate planets: applications to Mars. J. Geophys. Res., 1982, 87(B12), 9723–9733.

  • Banerdt, W. B., Golombek, M. P. and Tanaka, K. L., Stress and tectonics on Mars. In Mars (eds Kieffer, H. H. et al.), University of Ariz Press, Tucson, 1992, pp. 249–297.

  • Dimitrova, L. L., Holt, W. E., Haines, A. J. and Schultz, R. A., Toward understanding the history and mechanisms of Martian faulting: The contribution of gravitational potential energy. Geophys. Res. Lett., 2006, 33(8), L08202.

  • Phillips, R. J. et al., Ancient geodynamics and global-scale hydrology on Mars. Science, 2001, 291(5513), 2587–2591.

  • Phillips, R. J., Johnson, C. L. and Dombard, A. J., Localized Tharsis loading on Mars: testing the membrane surface hypothesis. In 35th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, Houston, 2004, p. 1427.

  • Watters, T. R., Lithospheric flexure and the origin of the dichotomy boundary on Mars. Geology, 2003, 31(3), 271–274.


Abstract Views: 324

PDF Views: 149




  • Evolution of Pyrrhae Fossae, Mars: an explication from the age estimation using the Buffered Crater Counting technique

Abstract Views: 324  |  PDF Views: 149

Authors

Keyur De
Department of Geology, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata 700 073, India; Department of Geology, Asutosh College, 92, S.P. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata 700 026, India
Trishit Ruj
Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Kanagawa 252-5210, Japan
Abhik Kundu
Department of Geology, Asutosh College, 92, S.P. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata 700 026, India
Nilanjan Dasgupta
Department of Geology, Presidency University, 86/1 College Street, Kolkata 700 073, India
Kenji Kawai
Department of Earth and Planetary Science, School of Science, University of Tokyo, Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan

Abstract


Pyrrhae Fossae (PyFo) on Mars is a palaeo-extensional tectonic feature preserved within a Noachian basement in the north-western Noachis Terra (NT). We have tried to understand the possible origin of the stress responsible for the evolution of these tectonic structures and to correlate their formation with other global Martian events. We estimated the absolute model age of PyFo, using the Buffered Crater Counting (BCC) technique, which indicates that these extensional structures were formed at ~3.79 Ga, after the basement formation at ~3.98 Ga. Considering the ages and geology of the terrains adjoining the PyFo region, we propose that the regional scale flexural bending was promoted either in response to Tharsis-related volcano-tectonic load or thinning of northern lowlands producing extension at the upper crustal level, generating these fossae at the early stage of Martian evolution.

Keywords


Buffered Crater Counting, extension, flexure, Noachis Terra, Pyrrhae Fossae

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv121%2Fi7%2F906-911