Mangala Valles
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Mangala Valles and Mangala Fossa
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| Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
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| Length | 828.0 km |
Mangala Valles is a complex system of criss-crossing channels on Mars, located in the Tharsis region and in the Memnonia quadrangle. It originates in the Hesperian and Amazonian epochs. It is thought to be an outflow channel, carved by catastrophic floods, and the release of vast quantities of water across the Martian surface. This flooding was probably initiated by tectonic stretching and the formation of a graben, Mangala Fossa, at the channels' head, perhaps breaching a pressurized aquifer trapped beneath a thick "cryosphere" (layer of frozen ground) beneath the surface.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Mangala Valles contains several basins which filled, then the overflow went through a series of spillways.[8][9] One source of waters for the system was Memonia Fossae, but water also probably came from a large basin centered at 40 degrees S.[10][11]
A recent study that used photogeologic analysis, geomorphic surface mapping, cratering statistics, and relative stratigraphy, demonstrated that Mangala Valles was flooded by water at least twice and covered with lava at least three times during the Late Amazonian. The presence of scoured bedrock at the base of the mapped stratigraphy, together with evidence from crater retention ages, suggests that fluvial activity came before lava flows. These alternating periods of aqueous flooding and volcanism are similar to that of other outflow systems on Mars, such as Kasei Valles [12] and Ravi Vallis[13]
There are many wind-sculpted ridges or yardangs covering many of the surfaces in the Mangala Valles region.[14][15]
"Mangala" is the name for Mars in Jyotish (or Hindu) astrology.
Gallery
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Mangala Vallis.JPG
Mangala Valles with a streamlined island, as seen by THEMIS.
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Mangala Valles from hirise.JPG
Mangala Valles, as seen by HiRISE.
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Streamlined feature in Mangala Vallis, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program. Many dark slope streaks are visible. Location is Memnonia quadrangle.
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Part of Mangala Valles, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program. Location is Memnonia quadrangle.
In fiction
- Mangala Valles is referred to in Michael Crichton's book Sphere.
- In Stephen Baxter's novel Voyage, it is the location of the first manned Mars landing.
- It is also the location of the first manned Mars base in Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
See also
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mangala Valles. |
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Carr, M. 1979. Formation of martian flood features by release of water from confined aquifers. Journal of Geophysical Research 84: 2995-3007.
- ↑ Hanna, J. and R. Phillips. 2005. Tectonic pressurization of aquifers in the formation of Mangala and Athabasca Valles on Mars. LPSC XXXVI. Abstract 2261.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Cabrol, N. and E. Grin (eds.). 2010. Lakes on Mars. Elsevier. NY.
- ↑ Emrick, C. and R. De Hon. 1999. Flood discharge through Labou Vallis, Mars. Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. XXX: Abstract #1893.
- ↑ Zimbelman, J. et al. 1992. Volatile history of Mangala Valles, Mars. Journal of Geophysical Research 97: 18309-18317
- ↑ De Hon, R. 1994. Lacustrine sedimentation in lower Mangals Valles. Mars Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. XXVII: 295-296
- ↑ Keskea, A., C. Hamilton, A. McEwen, I. Daubar. Episodes of fluvial and volcanic activity in Mangala Valles, Mars. Icarus:245, 333-347.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
