Monday, May 26, 2014

Lava Tubes and Impact Craters on Arsia Mons


This observation shows an incredible diversity of ancient lava tubes and impact craters filled with sediment on the flank of Arsia Mons.

The rationale for this observation is to get a better look at those lava tubes; their shapes, morphology, and erosional degradation, which ultimately might help to date active period when lava flowed through the volcano. We will also be able to see in high resolution an erosional “snapshot” of the collapsed lava tubes and how they have been modified by dust falling from the air, mass-wasting, and impacts over time.

This is a stereo pair with ESP_030876_1790.

Image credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

No comments: