火星上可能存在的古代海洋:来自火星轨道器激光高度计数据的证据
J W Head1, H Hiesinger, M A Ivanov
1Department of Geological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA.
概括
高分辨率数据表明,火星海岸线存在于北部低地. 这条古老的海岸线,与一个大水体相一致,在它的下面有露台和更光滑的地形.
科学领域:
- 行星科学 行星科学
- 地质地质地质地质地质地
- 水文学的水文学
背景情况:
- 火星的北方低地拥有复杂的地形.
- 以前的假设表明,在火星的中期历史中,存在着大量的水体.
研究的目的:
- 为了分析火星北方低地的高分辨率测高数据.
- 为了评估这个地区古代海岸线的假设.
主要方法:
- 利用高分辨率的高度测量数据绘制火星地形图.
- 分析了与拟议的接触线相对地质特征和地形变化.
主要成果:
- 确定了一个独特的地质接触环绕北方低地.
- 接触的高度与一个等电位直线对齐.
- 接触点下方的地形比接触点上方要光滑得多.
- 在众多地点,宽的露台与接触平行.
- 估计的水量与之前对火星的估计一致.
结论:
- 已确认的地质接触强烈支持古代火星海岸线的假设.
- 这条海岸线很可能标志着火星中期历史时期一个大而稳定的水体.
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