mars lab

1 Lab 8: Exploring Mars Name: Nafisa shahzadi INTRODUCTION: In this lab you study geological surface features of Mars Learning Goals: Students will  Learn how identify major surface geological features  Learn what major geological features are present and which are absent on Mars and how to identify them visually from Google Mars and HiRISE imagery. Learning tools: Websites:  Tutorial: http://explanet.info/Chapter06.htm  http://www.google.com/mars/  http://themis.asu.edu/  http://www.uahirise.org/katalogos.php  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_surface_features_of_Mars  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Maps_of_Mars Background: Read the tutorial linked here: http://explanet.info/Chapter06.htm to familiarize yourself with various types of geological activity on Mars, if you haven’t yet. Procedure: Part 1. 1. In this lab you’ll be doing a bit of research. Here are your goals: find the evidence of the following types of geological activity: Impact cratering: Volcanism: Tectonics: Erosion:  new  eroded  filled  peaked  stratovolcanoes  shield volcanoes  lava flows  plate tectonics  rift valleys  mountains  faults  by ice  by liquid (water presumably)  by wind

2 For each type of a geological feature, copy the image containing an example, specify its location (latitude and longitude), name (if available) and include a brief description. Look for other examples of similar features and decide if it is a type of feature commonly found on Mars or if it is a rarity. If a certain type of feature does not exist on Mars, state so. Fill in tables 1,2,3 and 4 below with your data. The information you need can be accessed in a number of different ways, they are on, among others, the following sites:  Google Mars: http://www.google.com/mars/  http://themis.asu.edu/  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_surface_features_of_Mars  http:// commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Maps_of_Mars Here is some info of how to navigate these sites: Google Mars site: Go to Google Mars site: http://www.google.com/mars/ . You should see a window that looks like that shown in figure 1. Figure 1 also shows some of the main features of the site. Look over figures 2 and 3 below for further explanations of how to navigate this site. Figure 1.

Figure 4. Figure 5. 4 A link on Google Mars site’s will take you to Mars Odyssey Themis site article abut this feature, if such article exists. You can learn about the feature, it’s location, including latitude and longitude, and see a larger image of the feature here. Mars Odyssey Themis site: Go to Mars Odyssey Themis site: http://themis.asu.edu/ . You should see a window that looks like that shown in figure 5. Look over figures 5- 9 below for further explanations of how to navigate this site.

Figure 6. Figure 7. Figure 8. 5 Figure 9.

7 4 peaked 13.2829 82.631 N/a y This depicts a Martian crater featuring a central peak, which was likely created by a forceful impact event of high energy. Table 2. # type Copy and paste a re-sized image here Latitude Longitud e Name Are such features commo n on Mars? (y/n) Description Volcanism 5 stratovolcanoe s 24.4635 147.079 Elysium Mons n It is conical in profile

8 6 shield volcanoes 0.44656 1 247.283 Pavonis Mons y Shield volcanoes form through the accumulatio n of lava flows that begin near their peaks, creating successive layers. 7 lava flows 15.2404 256.725 Norther n flank of Ascraeu s Mons y Visible volcanic lava flows are associated with tectonic structures and features indicative of collapse. Table 3. # type Copy and paste a re- sized image here Latitude Longitud e Name Are such features commo Description

10 1 1 tectonic faults -1.43316 285.942 Hebes Chasma y The image shows the eastern section of Hebes Chasma with a prominent ridge at the lower part that is likely the result of a major tectonic fault.

11 Table 4. # type Copy and paste a re- sized image here Latitude Longitud e Name Are such features common on Mars? (y/n) Description Erosion 12 by ice 33.7N 57.9E HypAa Vallis n The ridges visible in the image are likely formed from glacial activity, with ice covered by a thin layer of rock 13 by liquid (water presumably) -45.416 248.327 Gullies near lcaria Planum y The streamlined shapes observed in the image, known as gullies, are probably sculpted by the continuous flow of water. 14 by wind - 4.34556 145.846 Aeolis Mensa e y The photograph captures ridges that have been shaped by the persistent actions of wind erosion over time. 2. Answer the following questions: a) What are the dominant geological processes that shaped Martian surface? T he dominant geological processes that shaped Martian surface include impact cratering, volcanic activity, tectonic shifts, erosion by water and wind, and sediment deposition. b) What geological processes that shape Earth’s surface are absent on Mars? Geological processes that are present on Earth but absent or less common on Mars include plate tectonics and a global magnetic field. Mars does not have active plate tectonics, and its magnetic field is not globally encompassing as Earth's is, affecting the way geological processes occur. c) Do these images show Martian surface features true color? Investigate and explain: Martian surface feature images often do not show true color as they may be altered for scientific purposes. Images can be color-enhanced to highlight geological features or can be taken in different wavelengths to

13 Part 2. Browse the catalogue of Martian surface images from The University of Arizona: http://www.uahirise.org/katalogos.php Pick five distinctly different images and find out what they depict (captioned figures may help if you find your chosen image or a similar there). You may include some of the following: “chaotic” terrain, sand dunes, dust devil tracks, gullies, ice formations, spider terrain, layering, river or stream bed remnants, lava tubes (careful the last two often look similar). The more interesting features you find, the higher your score. Organize your data in a table 5 below. Note: First click on the image or name below the image to access the site with detailed description. Some older imagers in The University of Arizona catalog liked above have descriptions, but most are linked to a site that describes that type of a feature in general. To access that info, click on the link next to Science theme below the image (see figure 10 for an example). Or you can go to science themes first: https://www.uahirise.org/science_themes/ and then look up interesting images within that general theme. Figure 10. Click here for Science Theme

14 Table 5 # Type of a feature Copy and paste a re-sized image here Latitu de Longitu de Name Are such featur es comm on on Mars? (y/n) Descriptio n 1 Deltaic Deposits 17.630 ° 75.121° Jezero Crater y Sedimentar y formations typically found at the mouths of rivers as they enter slower- moving or standing water, indicating past fluvial activity and potentially habitable conditions. 2 Landing Site and Features - 14.593 ° 175.499 ° Spirit Landing Site at Gusev Crater n Site includes Spirit rover's landing platform, Bonneville Crater, Husband Hill, and the 'Sleepy Hollow' crater." 3 terrain Sample 74.681 ° 94.614° ESP_080544_2 550 y The image shows a high- resolution terrain sample from Mars. Additional informatio

16 What is the most unusual/interesting feature that you have found? Describe in more detail and explain why you found it so unusual/interesting. The most unusual feature I've observed is the gullies near Icaria Planum. These structures are particularly fascinating because they could indicate recent activity of liquid water on Mars, which defies the common perception of the planet as an arid environment. Their presence suggests that Mars could have had subsurface water sources or temporary climate conditions allowing for liquid water, which has significant implications for the planet's geologic history and the possibility of past life. This feature stands out as it opens new questions about Mars' current and ancient environments and the potential for finding signs of life. Submission details: Submit into this lab’s drobox on Blackboard:  Pdf file if possible otherwise MS Word IMPORTANT: Please make sure that your report does not exceed the maximum allowed size. Please balance the need for clarity of your images with the limited capacity: if needed use lower resolution, re-size and crop the images. In worst case, you should turn your file into a pdf document and submit that.