Publications
Filter Total Items: 988
Countdown to Apophis close approach—Cascading hazards from asteroid impacts Countdown to Apophis close approach—Cascading hazards from asteroid impacts
Authors
Tim Titus, Lori Pigue, Lucienne Morton
Medium resolution lunar topography: An updated view of the lunar surface from stereophotogrammetrically derived DTMs Medium resolution lunar topography: An updated view of the lunar surface from stereophotogrammetrically derived DTMs
Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) are essential for lunar exploration, supporting critical applications such as landing site selection,mission planning, and in situ resource utilization. This study presents a comprehensive reprocessing of the Kaguya Terrain Camera (TC) dataset using the NASA Ames Steropipeline to generate over 130,000 medium-resolution DTMs with nearly global lunar coverage...
Authors
Jason Laura, Oleg Alexandrov, Lauren Adoram-Kershner, Kirsten Bauck, Benjamin H Wheeler, Trent M. Hare
Paleo-scours within the layered sulfate-bearing unit at Gale crater, Mars: Evidence for intense wind erosion Paleo-scours within the layered sulfate-bearing unit at Gale crater, Mars: Evidence for intense wind erosion
The surface of modern Mars is largely shaped by wind, but the influence of past wind activity is less well constrained. Sedimentary rocks exposed in the lower foothills of Aeolis Mons, the central mound within Gale crater, record a transition from predominantly lacustrine deposition in the Murray formation to aeolian deposition in the Mirador formation. Here, we report a series of...
Authors
A.L. Roberts, S. Gupta, S.G. Banhan, A. Cowart, Lauren A. Edgar, W. Rapin, W.E. Dietrich, E.S. Kite, J.M. Davis, G. Caravaca, C.A. Mondro, P.J. Gasda, J.R. Johnson, Stéphane Le Mouélic, D.M. Fey, A.B. Bryk, G. Paar, R.A. Harris, A. Fraeman, A.R. Vasavada
Properties of new flows indicate that Martian gullies form via CO2 frost-fluidization processes Properties of new flows indicate that Martian gullies form via CO2 frost-fluidization processes
Martian gully landforms are widely seen as evidence of liquid water, often attributed to snowmelt during high-obliquity periods within the last few million years. However, widespread present-day flows within existing gullies are caused by CO2 frost, presenting an alternative formation mechanism. Entrained frost vapourizes to fluidize flows, allowing them to behave similarly to wet debris...
Authors
Colin M. Dundas, Susan J. Conway, Kelly Pasquon, Axel Noblet, Lonneke Roelofs
Geomorphological evidence of near-surface ice at candidate landing sites in northern Amazonis Planitia, Mars Geomorphological evidence of near-surface ice at candidate landing sites in northern Amazonis Planitia, Mars
This work presents geomorphological analyses of an area at the boundary between Arcadia Planitia and northern Amazonis Planitia, situated in the northern mid-latitudes of Mars. Recent studies have indicated the presence of substantial volumes of near-surface excess ice in Arcadia Planitia, making this region a promising candidate for future human and robotic exploration. This study...
Authors
Erica Luzzi, Jennifer L. Heldmann, Kaj E. Williams, Giacomo Nodjoumi, Ariel Deutsch, Alexander Sehlke
U.S. Geological Survey 2024 Rocky Mountain Region Science Exchange—Showcasing cutting-edge science to adapt to extreme weather events and stakeholder needs U.S. Geological Survey 2024 Rocky Mountain Region Science Exchange—Showcasing cutting-edge science to adapt to extreme weather events and stakeholder needs
Authors
William J. Andrews, Timothy N. Titus, Lauren E. Eng, Kristine L. Zellman, Patrick J. Anderson, Jeremy C. Havens
From hydrated silica to quartz: Potential hydrothermal precipitates found in Jezero crater, Mars From hydrated silica to quartz: Potential hydrothermal precipitates found in Jezero crater, Mars
On Earth, silica-rich phases from opal to quartz are important indicators and tracers of geological processes. Hydrated silica, such as opal, is a particularly good matrix for the preservation of molecular and macroscopic biosignatures. Cherts, a type of silica-dominated rocks, provide a unique archive of ancient terrestrial life while quartz is the emblematic mineral of the Earth's...
Authors
P.S.A. Beck, O. Beyssac, E. Dehouck, S. Bernard, M. Pineau, L. Mandon, C. Royer, Elise Clavé, Susanne Schröder, O. Forni, R. Francis, N. Mangold, C. C. Bedford, A. Broz, E. A. Cloutis, J.R. Johnson, F. Poulet, T. Fouchet, C. Quantin-Nataf, C. Pilorget, W. Rapin, P.-Y. Meslin, Travis S.J. Gabriel, G. Arana, J.M. Madariaga, A.J. Brown, S. Maurice, S. M. Clegg, Olivier Gasnault, A. Cousin, R. C. Wiens, The SuperCam Team
Characterizing Meteor Crater impact melts through geochemistry and textural analysis Characterizing Meteor Crater impact melts through geochemistry and textural analysis
The U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Science Center houses the Meteor Crater sample collection, an assemblage of over 2,500 meters of cuttings from 161 drill holes into Meteor Crater’s rim, flanks, and ejecta blanket. We have utilized this unique collection to study the composition and spatial distribution of impact-generated materials from within the ejecta blanket. Meteor Crater has
Authors
Amber L. Gullikson, Tenielle A. Gaither, Justin Hagerty
Pediment formation and subsequent erosion in Gale crater: Clues to the climate history of Mars Pediment formation and subsequent erosion in Gale crater: Clues to the climate history of Mars
Evidence of paleo-rivers, fans, deltas, lakes, and channel networks across Mars has prompted much debate about what climate conditions would permit the formation of these surface water derived features. Pediments, gently sloping erosional surfaces of low relief developed in bedrock, have also been identified on Mars. On Earth, these erosional landforms, often thought to be created by...
Authors
A.B. Bryk, W.E. Dietrich, Kristen A. Bennett, V.K. Fox, C.M. Fedo, M.P. Lamb, E.S. Kite, L.M. Thompson, S. G. Banham, J. Schieber, J.A. Grant, A.R. Vasavada, A.A. Fraeman, Lauren A. Edgar, P. J. Gasda, R. C. Wiens, J.P. Grotzinger, K. Stack-Morgan, R.E. Arvidson, Olivier Gasnault, S. Le Mouelic, S. Gupta, R.M.E. Williams, R.Y. Sheppard, K.W. Lewis, D.M. Rubin, W. Rapin, M.N. Hughes, M. Turner, S.A. Wilson, J.M. Davis, R.E. Kronyak, L. Le Deit, L.C. Kah, J. Frydenvang, R.J. Sullivan, C.C. Bedford, E. Dehouck, H.E. Newsom, M.C. Malin
The 2014–2015 Holuhraun lava flow-field in Iceland as a planetary analog for young volcanic terrains in Elysium Planitia, Mars The 2014–2015 Holuhraun lava flow-field in Iceland as a planetary analog for young volcanic terrains in Elysium Planitia, Mars
Elysium Planitia is the youngest volcanic terrain on Mars, and the only region that exhibits evidence of ongoing magmatic activity today. This makes Elysium Planitia crucial for understanding the tectonic, magmatic, volcanic, and thermal state of the planet. The 2014–2015 Holuhraun eruption in the Icelandic Highland provides a unique opportunity to study a large-volume, fissure-fed...
Authors
Joana R.C. Voigt, Christopher W. Hamilton, Laszlo P. Keszthelyi, M. Varnam, S.M. Hibbard, K. M. Stack
No magmatic driving force for Europan sea-floor volcanism No magmatic driving force for Europan sea-floor volcanism
The internal ocean of Jupiter’s moon Europa is thought to be a prime candidate for hosting extraterrestrial life. Europa’s silicate interior may contribute to habitability via the generation of reactants through hydrothermal activity, serpentinization, or other geological processes occurring on or just below Europa’s seafloor. However, silicate melting is thought to occur at >100 km...
Authors
A.P. Green, Catherine Elder, Michael Thomas Bland, Paul Tackley, Paul K. Byrne
Ageing of organic materials at the surface of Mars: A Raman study aboard Perseverance Ageing of organic materials at the surface of Mars: A Raman study aboard Perseverance
The Perseverance rover is exploring Jezero crater on Mars, one of its goals being to collect samples to be returned to Earth to search for organic remains of ancient Martian life. However, the organic content of these rocks has likely suffered from the radiation environment on the surface of Mars to an extent yet to be quantified. For the first time, a 1000 sols long ageing experiment...
Authors
S. Bernard, O. Beyssac, J.A. Manrique, G. Lopez Reyes, A. Ollila, S. Le Mouelic, P.S.A. Beck, P. Pilleri, O. Forni, S. Julve-Gonzales, M. Veneranda, I. Reyes Rodriguez, J.M. Madariaga Mota, J. Aramenda, K. Castro, Elise Clavé, C. Royer, T. Fornaro, B. Bousquet, S.K. Sharma, J.R. Johnson, E. Cloutis, Travis S.J. Gabriel, P.Y. Meslin, Olivier Gasnault, A. Cousin, R. C. Wiens, S. Maurice