Active shoreline of Ontario Lacus, Titan: A morphological study of the lake and its surroundings
January 1, 2010
Of more than 400 filled lakes now identified on Titan, the first and largest reported in the southern latitudes is Ontario Lacus, which is dark in both infrared and microwave. Here we describe recent observations including synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images by Cassini's radar instrument (??= 2 cm) and show morphological evidence for active material transport and erosion. Ontario Lacus lies in a shallow depression, with greater relief on the southwestern shore and a gently sloping, possibly wave-generated beach to the northeast. The lake has a closed internal drainage system fed by Earth-like rivers, deltas and alluvial fans. Evidence for active shoreline processes, including the wave-modified lakefront and deltaic deposition, indicates that Ontario is a dynamic feature undergoing typical terrestrial forms of littoral modification. Copyright ?? 2010 by the American Geophysical Union.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2010 |
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Title | Active shoreline of Ontario Lacus, Titan: A morphological study of the lake and its surroundings |
DOI | 10.1029/2009GL041821 |
Authors | S. Wall, A. Hayes, C. Bristow, R. Lorenz, E. Stofan, J. Lunine, Gall A. Le, M. Janssen, R. Lopes, L. Wye, L. Soderblom, P. Paillou, O. Aharonson, H. Zebker, Tom Farr, Giuseppe Mitri, R. Kirk, Ken Mitchell, C. Notarnicola, D. Casarano, B. Ventura |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Geophysical Research Letters |
Index ID | 70037300 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |