First high-resolution stratigraphic column of the Martian north polar layered deposits
This study achieves the first high-spatial-resolution, layer-scale, measured stratigraphic column of the Martian north polar layered deposits using a 1m-posting DEM. The marker beds found throughout the upper North Polar Layered Deposits range in thickness from 1.6 m-16.0 m +/-1.4 m, and 6 of 13 marker beds are separated by ???25-35 m. Thin-layer sets have average layer separations of 1.6 m. These layer separations may account for the spectral-power-peaks found in previous brightness-profile analyses. Marker-bed layer thicknesses show a weak trend of decreasing thickness with depth that we interpret to potentially be the result of a decreased accumulation rate in the past, for those layers. However, the stratigraphic column reveals that a simple rhythmic or bundled layer sequence is not immediately apparent throughout the column, implying that the relationship between polar layer formation and cyclic climate forcing is quite complex.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2010 |
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Title | First high-resolution stratigraphic column of the Martian north polar layered deposits |
DOI | 10.1029/2009GL041642 |
Authors | K.E. Fishbaugh, C.S. Hvidberg, S. Byrne, P.S. Russell, Kenneth E. Herkenhoff, M. Winstrup, R. Kirk |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Geophysical Research Letters |
Index ID | 70037047 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Astrogeology Science Center |