Colin Dundas, Ph.D.
Colin Dundas is a Research Geologist with the Astrogeology Science Center. He studies planetary geomorphology and surface processes using spacecraft imagery and topography data as well as numerical modeling, with a particular focus on active processes and change detection. He is a Co-Investigator and Science Theme Lead for Mass Wasting on the HiRISE camera team.
Past and current research areas include:
- Current activity on Martian slopes, including Recurring Slope Lineae and changes in gullies
- Martian ground ice, ice-exposing impact craters and scarps, and sublimation-thermokarst landforms
- Large lava flows and lava-volatile interactions on Mars, Io, and Earth
- Effects of target properties and secondary craters on crater chronology
- Floods in Martian outflow channels
- Volatile-loss landforms in the Solar System
Professional Experience
2009-2011: Postdoctoral researcher at the University of Arizona.
2011 - Present: Research Geologist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Planetary Science (Geoscience minor), The University of Arizona, 2009
B.S., Planetary Science, California Institute of Technology, 2004
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 80
Special section introduction on MicroMars to MegaMars Special section introduction on MicroMars to MegaMars
The study of Earth's surface and atmosphere evolved from local investigations to the incorporation of remote sensing on a global scale. The study of Mars has followed the opposite progression, beginning with telescopic observations, followed by flyby and orbital missions, landers, and finally rover missions in the last ∼20 years. This varied fleet of spacecraft (seven of which are...
Authors
Nathan T. Bridges, Colin M. Dundas, Lauren A. Edgar
Geologic context of recurring slope lineae in Melas and Coprates Chasmata, Mars Geologic context of recurring slope lineae in Melas and Coprates Chasmata, Mars
One of the major Mars discoveries of recent years is the existence of recurring slope lineae (RSL), which suggests that liquid water occurs on or near the surface of Mars today. These dark and narrow features emerge from steep, rocky exposures and incrementally grow, fade, and reform on a seasonal basis and are detected in images from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment camera...
Authors
Matthew Chojnacki, Alfred McEwen, Colin M. Dundas, Lujendra Ojha, Anna Urso, Sarah Sutton
A revised surface age for the North Polar Layered Deposits of Mars A revised surface age for the North Polar Layered Deposits of Mars
The North Polar Layered Deposits (NPLD) of Mars contain a complex stratigraphy that has been suggested to retain a record of past eccentricity- and obliquity-forced climate changes. The surface accumulation rate in the current climate can be constrained by the crater retention age. We scale NPLD crater diameters to account for icy target strength and compare surface age using a new...
Authors
Margaret E. Landis, Shane Byrne, Ingrid J. Daubar, Kenneth E. Herkenhoff, Colin M. Dundas
Limited role for thermal erosion by turbulent lava in proximal Athabasca Valles, Mars Limited role for thermal erosion by turbulent lava in proximal Athabasca Valles, Mars
The Athabasca Valles flood lava is among the most recent (
Authors
Vincenzo Cataldo, David A. Williams, Colin M. Dundas, Laszlo P. Keszthelyi
Modeling the development of martian sublimation thermokarst landforms Modeling the development of martian sublimation thermokarst landforms
Sublimation-thermokarst landforms result from collapse of the surface when ice is lost from the subsurface. On Mars, scalloped landforms with scales of decameters to kilometers are observed in the mid-latitudes and considered likely thermokarst features. We describe a landscape evolution model that couples diffusive mass movement and subsurface ice loss due to sublimation. Over periods...
Authors
Colin M. Dundas, Shane Byrne, Alfred S. McEwen
Slope activity in Gale crater, Mars Slope activity in Gale crater, Mars
High-resolution repeat imaging of Aeolis Mons, the central mound in Gale crater, reveals active slope processes within tens of kilometers of the Curiosity rover. At one location near the base of northeastern Aeolis Mons, dozens of transient narrow lineae were observed, resembling features (Recurring Slope Lineae) that are potentially due to liquid water. However, the lineae faded and...
Authors
Colin M. Dundas, Alfred S. McEwen
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 80
Special section introduction on MicroMars to MegaMars Special section introduction on MicroMars to MegaMars
The study of Earth's surface and atmosphere evolved from local investigations to the incorporation of remote sensing on a global scale. The study of Mars has followed the opposite progression, beginning with telescopic observations, followed by flyby and orbital missions, landers, and finally rover missions in the last ∼20 years. This varied fleet of spacecraft (seven of which are...
Authors
Nathan T. Bridges, Colin M. Dundas, Lauren A. Edgar
Geologic context of recurring slope lineae in Melas and Coprates Chasmata, Mars Geologic context of recurring slope lineae in Melas and Coprates Chasmata, Mars
One of the major Mars discoveries of recent years is the existence of recurring slope lineae (RSL), which suggests that liquid water occurs on or near the surface of Mars today. These dark and narrow features emerge from steep, rocky exposures and incrementally grow, fade, and reform on a seasonal basis and are detected in images from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment camera...
Authors
Matthew Chojnacki, Alfred McEwen, Colin M. Dundas, Lujendra Ojha, Anna Urso, Sarah Sutton
A revised surface age for the North Polar Layered Deposits of Mars A revised surface age for the North Polar Layered Deposits of Mars
The North Polar Layered Deposits (NPLD) of Mars contain a complex stratigraphy that has been suggested to retain a record of past eccentricity- and obliquity-forced climate changes. The surface accumulation rate in the current climate can be constrained by the crater retention age. We scale NPLD crater diameters to account for icy target strength and compare surface age using a new...
Authors
Margaret E. Landis, Shane Byrne, Ingrid J. Daubar, Kenneth E. Herkenhoff, Colin M. Dundas
Limited role for thermal erosion by turbulent lava in proximal Athabasca Valles, Mars Limited role for thermal erosion by turbulent lava in proximal Athabasca Valles, Mars
The Athabasca Valles flood lava is among the most recent (
Authors
Vincenzo Cataldo, David A. Williams, Colin M. Dundas, Laszlo P. Keszthelyi
Modeling the development of martian sublimation thermokarst landforms Modeling the development of martian sublimation thermokarst landforms
Sublimation-thermokarst landforms result from collapse of the surface when ice is lost from the subsurface. On Mars, scalloped landforms with scales of decameters to kilometers are observed in the mid-latitudes and considered likely thermokarst features. We describe a landscape evolution model that couples diffusive mass movement and subsurface ice loss due to sublimation. Over periods...
Authors
Colin M. Dundas, Shane Byrne, Alfred S. McEwen
Slope activity in Gale crater, Mars Slope activity in Gale crater, Mars
High-resolution repeat imaging of Aeolis Mons, the central mound in Gale crater, reveals active slope processes within tens of kilometers of the Curiosity rover. At one location near the base of northeastern Aeolis Mons, dozens of transient narrow lineae were observed, resembling features (Recurring Slope Lineae) that are potentially due to liquid water. However, the lineae faded and...
Authors
Colin M. Dundas, Alfred S. McEwen