1. Tsunami Waves Extensively Resurfaced the Shorelines of an Early Martian Ocean
- Author
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Rodriguez, J. A. P, Fairen, A. G, Linares, R, Zarroca, M, Platz, T, Komatsu, G, Kargel, J. S, Gulick, V, Jianguo, Y, Higuchi, K, Miyamoto, H, Baker, V. R, and Glines, N
- Subjects
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
Viking image-based mapping of a widespread deposit covering most of the northern low-lands of Mars led to the proposal by Parker et al. that the deposit represents the vestiges of an enormous ocean that existed approx. 3.4 Ga. Later identified as the Vastitas Borealis Formation, the latest geologic map of Mars identifies this deposit as the Late Hesperian lowland unit (lHl). This deposit is typically bounded by raised lobate margins. In addition, some margins have associated rille channels, which could have been produced sub-aerially by the back-wash of high-energy tsunami waves. Radar-sounding data indicate that the deposit is ice-rich. However, until now, the lack of wave-cut shoreline features and the presence of lobate margins have remained an im-pediment to the acceptance of the paleo-ocean hypothesis.
- Published
- 2016
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