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: 81
Largest recent impact craters on Mars: Orbital imaging and surface seismic co-investigation Largest recent impact craters on Mars: Orbital imaging and surface seismic co-investigation
Two 130+ meter diameter impact craters formed on Mars during the later half of 2021. These are the two largest fresh impact craters discovered by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter since operations started 16 years ago. The impacts created two of the largest seismic events (magnitudes greater than 4) recorded by InSight during its three year mission. The combination of orbital imagery and...
Authors
Lilia Posiolova, P Lognonne, W B Banerdt, John Clinton, Gareth S Collins, Taichi Kawamura, S Ceylan, Ingrid J. Daubar, B Fernando, M Froment, D Giardini, Michael C. Malin, Katarina Miljkovic, Simon C Stahler, Z. George Xue, Maria E Banks, E Beucler, Bruce A Cantor, C. Charalambous, N Dahmen, Paul W. Davis, Cesar M. Duran, M. Drilleau, Colin M. Dundas, F Euchner, R F Garcia, Matthew P. Golombek, Anna Horleston, C Keegan, Abdul S. Khan, D. Kim, C Larmat, Ralph D. Lorenz, L Margerin, S Menina, Mark Panning, C Pardo, C Perrin, W T Pike, M Plasman, A Rajsic, Lucie Rolland, E Rougier, Gunnar Speth, Aymeric Spiga, Alexander E. Stott, David Susko, N Teanby, A Valeh, A. Werynski, N Wojcicka, G Zenhausern
It’s time for focused in situ studies of planetary surface-atmosphere interactions It’s time for focused in situ studies of planetary surface-atmosphere interactions
A critical gap in planetary observations has been in situ characterization of extra-terrestrial, present-day atmospheric and surface environments and activity. While some surface activity has been observed and some in situ meteorological measurements have been collected by auxiliary instruments on Mars, existing information is insufficient to conclusively characterize the natural...
Authors
Serina Diniega, Nathan Barba, Louis Giersch, Brian Jackson, Alejandro Soto, Don Banfield, Mackenzie D. Day, Gary Doran, Colin M. Dundas, Michael Mischna, Scot Rafkin, Isaac B. Smith, Rob Sullivan, Christy Swann, Timothy N. Titus, Ian J. Walker, Jacob Widmer, Devon M. Burr, Lukas Mandrake, Nathalie Vriend, Kaj E. Williams
The formation mechanisms for mid-latitude ice scarps on Mars The formation mechanisms for mid-latitude ice scarps on Mars
Mid-latitude exposed ice scarps have recently been identified on Mars (Dundas et al., 2018; 2021). The presence of such surface ice exposures at relatively low latitudes was itself a mystery, and the formation dynamics of such scarps have also not been explained. In this work we model the ice ablation rates of several identified mid-latitude scarps. We find that, given certain...
Authors
Kaj E. Williams, Colin M. Dundas, Melinda A. Kahre
Martian gully activity and the gully sediment transport system Martian gully activity and the gully sediment transport system
The formation process for Martian gullies is a critical unknown for understanding recent climate conditions. Leading hypotheses include formation by snowmelt in a past climate, or formation via currently active CO2 frost processes. This paper presents an expanded catalog of >300 recent flows in gullies. The results indicate that sediment transport in current gully flows moves the full...
Authors
Colin M. Dundas, Susan J. Conway, Glen E. Cushing
New craters on Mars: An updated catalog New craters on Mars: An updated catalog
We present a catalog of new impacts on Mars. These craters formed in the last few decades, constrained with repeat orbital imaging. Crater diameters range from 58 m down to 8 m (differential slope 2.9), significantly shallower than the slope of new lunar craters. We believe that no systematic biases exist in the Martian data set sufficient to explain the discrepancy. This catalog is...
Authors
Ingrid J. Daubar, Colin M. Dundas, Alfred S. McEwen, Annabelle Gao, D. Wexler, Sylvain Piqueux, Gareth S. Collins, Katarina Miljkovic, T. Neidhart, J. Eschenfelder, Gwen D. Bart, Kiri L. Wagstaff, Gary Doran, Liliya Posiolova, Michael C. Malin, Gunnar Speth, David Susko, A. Werynski
Comparison of Digital Terrain Models from two photoclinometry methods Comparison of Digital Terrain Models from two photoclinometry methods
We evaluate the horizontal resolution and vertical precision for digital topographic models (DTMs) of the Moon derived from image radiance information, a process known as photoclinometry (PC) or shape-from-shading (SfS). We use the implementations in two available planetary image processing software systems, single image PC in the U.S. Geological Survey Integrated Software for Imagers...
Authors
Randolph L. Kirk, David Mayer, Colin M. Dundas, Benjamin H Wheeler, Ross A. Beyer, Oleg Alexandrov
Revealing active Mars with HiRISE digital terrain models Revealing active Mars with HiRISE digital terrain models
Many discoveries of active surface processes on Mars have been made due to the availability of repeat high-resolution images from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. HiRISE stereo images are used to make digital terrain models (DTMs) and orthorectified images (orthoimages). HiRISE DTMs and orthoimage time series have been...
Authors
Sarah S. Sutton, Matthew Chojnacki, Alfred S. McEwen, Randolph L. Kirk, Colin M. Dundas, Ethan I Schaefer, Susan J. Conway, Serina Diniega, Ganna Portyankina, Margaret E. Landis, Nicole F Baugh, Rodney Heyd, Shane Byrne, Livio L. Tornabene, Lujendra Ojha, Christopher W. Hamilton
A numerical model for the cooling of a lava sill with heat pipe effects A numerical model for the cooling of a lava sill with heat pipe effects
Understanding the cooling process of volcanic intrusions into wet sediments is a difficult but important problem, given the presence of extremely large temperature gradients and potentially complex water-magma interactions. This report presents a numerical model to study such interactions, including the effect of heat pipes on the cooling of volcanic intrusions. Udell (1985) has shown...
Authors
Kaj E. Williams, Colin M. Dundas, Laszlo P. Keszthelyi
Active Mars: A dynamic world Active Mars: A dynamic world
Mars exhibits diverse surface changes at all latitudes and all seasons. Active processes include impact cratering, aeolian sand and dust transport, a variety of slope processes, changes in polar ices, and diverse effects of seasonal CO2 frost. The extent of surface change has been surprising and indicates that the present climate is capable of reshaping the surface. Activity has...
Authors
Colin M. Dundas, Patricio Becerra, Shane Byrne, Matthew Chojnacki, Ingrid J. Daubar, Serina Diniega, Candice J. Hansen, Kenneth E. Herkenhoff, Margaret E. Landis, Alfred S. McEwen, Ganna Portyankina, Adomas Valantinas
Introduction: Does water flow on Martian slopes? Introduction: Does water flow on Martian slopes?
No abstract available.
Authors
Colin M. Dundas, Susan J. Conway, David E Stillman
Dry formation of recent Martian slope features Dry formation of recent Martian slope features
Martian surface conditions are cold and dry, unfavorable for liquid water, yet steep slopes display young and currently active features suggestive of wet processes. These include recurring slope lineae and slope streaks, gully landforms, and small lobate features. Wet origins for these features would imply surprising amounts of liquid water at the surface. However, detailed observations...
Authors
Colin M. Dundas
Mars science helicopter: Compelling science enabled by an aerial platform Mars science helicopter: Compelling science enabled by an aerial platform
This whitepaper describes two conceptual vehicle designs, including possible tradeoffs within those designs, which would enable a wide array of innovative science investigations. In addition to describing vehicle capabilities, flight characteristics, and the breadth of enabled science for the two helicopter designs, we also introduce three mission concepts that showcase investigations...
Authors
Jonathan Bapst, Timothy J Parker, J Balaram, T Tzanetos, L. H. Matthies, C D Edwards, Aaron Freeman, S Withrow-Maser, W. Carter Johnson, E Amador-French, Janice L. Bishop, Ingrid J. Daubar, Colin M. Dundas, Abigail A. Fraeman, Christopher W. Hamilton, C. Hardgrove, Briony H. N. Horgan, C. W. Leung, Y. Lin, A Mittelholz, B. P. Weiss
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 81
Largest recent impact craters on Mars: Orbital imaging and surface seismic co-investigation Largest recent impact craters on Mars: Orbital imaging and surface seismic co-investigation
Two 130+ meter diameter impact craters formed on Mars during the later half of 2021. These are the two largest fresh impact craters discovered by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter since operations started 16 years ago. The impacts created two of the largest seismic events (magnitudes greater than 4) recorded by InSight during its three year mission. The combination of orbital imagery and...
Authors
Lilia Posiolova, P Lognonne, W B Banerdt, John Clinton, Gareth S Collins, Taichi Kawamura, S Ceylan, Ingrid J. Daubar, B Fernando, M Froment, D Giardini, Michael C. Malin, Katarina Miljkovic, Simon C Stahler, Z. George Xue, Maria E Banks, E Beucler, Bruce A Cantor, C. Charalambous, N Dahmen, Paul W. Davis, Cesar M. Duran, M. Drilleau, Colin M. Dundas, F Euchner, R F Garcia, Matthew P. Golombek, Anna Horleston, C Keegan, Abdul S. Khan, D. Kim, C Larmat, Ralph D. Lorenz, L Margerin, S Menina, Mark Panning, C Pardo, C Perrin, W T Pike, M Plasman, A Rajsic, Lucie Rolland, E Rougier, Gunnar Speth, Aymeric Spiga, Alexander E. Stott, David Susko, N Teanby, A Valeh, A. Werynski, N Wojcicka, G Zenhausern
It’s time for focused in situ studies of planetary surface-atmosphere interactions It’s time for focused in situ studies of planetary surface-atmosphere interactions
A critical gap in planetary observations has been in situ characterization of extra-terrestrial, present-day atmospheric and surface environments and activity. While some surface activity has been observed and some in situ meteorological measurements have been collected by auxiliary instruments on Mars, existing information is insufficient to conclusively characterize the natural...
Authors
Serina Diniega, Nathan Barba, Louis Giersch, Brian Jackson, Alejandro Soto, Don Banfield, Mackenzie D. Day, Gary Doran, Colin M. Dundas, Michael Mischna, Scot Rafkin, Isaac B. Smith, Rob Sullivan, Christy Swann, Timothy N. Titus, Ian J. Walker, Jacob Widmer, Devon M. Burr, Lukas Mandrake, Nathalie Vriend, Kaj E. Williams
The formation mechanisms for mid-latitude ice scarps on Mars The formation mechanisms for mid-latitude ice scarps on Mars
Mid-latitude exposed ice scarps have recently been identified on Mars (Dundas et al., 2018; 2021). The presence of such surface ice exposures at relatively low latitudes was itself a mystery, and the formation dynamics of such scarps have also not been explained. In this work we model the ice ablation rates of several identified mid-latitude scarps. We find that, given certain...
Authors
Kaj E. Williams, Colin M. Dundas, Melinda A. Kahre
Martian gully activity and the gully sediment transport system Martian gully activity and the gully sediment transport system
The formation process for Martian gullies is a critical unknown for understanding recent climate conditions. Leading hypotheses include formation by snowmelt in a past climate, or formation via currently active CO2 frost processes. This paper presents an expanded catalog of >300 recent flows in gullies. The results indicate that sediment transport in current gully flows moves the full...
Authors
Colin M. Dundas, Susan J. Conway, Glen E. Cushing
New craters on Mars: An updated catalog New craters on Mars: An updated catalog
We present a catalog of new impacts on Mars. These craters formed in the last few decades, constrained with repeat orbital imaging. Crater diameters range from 58 m down to 8 m (differential slope 2.9), significantly shallower than the slope of new lunar craters. We believe that no systematic biases exist in the Martian data set sufficient to explain the discrepancy. This catalog is...
Authors
Ingrid J. Daubar, Colin M. Dundas, Alfred S. McEwen, Annabelle Gao, D. Wexler, Sylvain Piqueux, Gareth S. Collins, Katarina Miljkovic, T. Neidhart, J. Eschenfelder, Gwen D. Bart, Kiri L. Wagstaff, Gary Doran, Liliya Posiolova, Michael C. Malin, Gunnar Speth, David Susko, A. Werynski
Comparison of Digital Terrain Models from two photoclinometry methods Comparison of Digital Terrain Models from two photoclinometry methods
We evaluate the horizontal resolution and vertical precision for digital topographic models (DTMs) of the Moon derived from image radiance information, a process known as photoclinometry (PC) or shape-from-shading (SfS). We use the implementations in two available planetary image processing software systems, single image PC in the U.S. Geological Survey Integrated Software for Imagers...
Authors
Randolph L. Kirk, David Mayer, Colin M. Dundas, Benjamin H Wheeler, Ross A. Beyer, Oleg Alexandrov
Revealing active Mars with HiRISE digital terrain models Revealing active Mars with HiRISE digital terrain models
Many discoveries of active surface processes on Mars have been made due to the availability of repeat high-resolution images from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. HiRISE stereo images are used to make digital terrain models (DTMs) and orthorectified images (orthoimages). HiRISE DTMs and orthoimage time series have been...
Authors
Sarah S. Sutton, Matthew Chojnacki, Alfred S. McEwen, Randolph L. Kirk, Colin M. Dundas, Ethan I Schaefer, Susan J. Conway, Serina Diniega, Ganna Portyankina, Margaret E. Landis, Nicole F Baugh, Rodney Heyd, Shane Byrne, Livio L. Tornabene, Lujendra Ojha, Christopher W. Hamilton
A numerical model for the cooling of a lava sill with heat pipe effects A numerical model for the cooling of a lava sill with heat pipe effects
Understanding the cooling process of volcanic intrusions into wet sediments is a difficult but important problem, given the presence of extremely large temperature gradients and potentially complex water-magma interactions. This report presents a numerical model to study such interactions, including the effect of heat pipes on the cooling of volcanic intrusions. Udell (1985) has shown...
Authors
Kaj E. Williams, Colin M. Dundas, Laszlo P. Keszthelyi
Active Mars: A dynamic world Active Mars: A dynamic world
Mars exhibits diverse surface changes at all latitudes and all seasons. Active processes include impact cratering, aeolian sand and dust transport, a variety of slope processes, changes in polar ices, and diverse effects of seasonal CO2 frost. The extent of surface change has been surprising and indicates that the present climate is capable of reshaping the surface. Activity has...
Authors
Colin M. Dundas, Patricio Becerra, Shane Byrne, Matthew Chojnacki, Ingrid J. Daubar, Serina Diniega, Candice J. Hansen, Kenneth E. Herkenhoff, Margaret E. Landis, Alfred S. McEwen, Ganna Portyankina, Adomas Valantinas
Introduction: Does water flow on Martian slopes? Introduction: Does water flow on Martian slopes?
No abstract available.
Authors
Colin M. Dundas, Susan J. Conway, David E Stillman
Dry formation of recent Martian slope features Dry formation of recent Martian slope features
Martian surface conditions are cold and dry, unfavorable for liquid water, yet steep slopes display young and currently active features suggestive of wet processes. These include recurring slope lineae and slope streaks, gully landforms, and small lobate features. Wet origins for these features would imply surprising amounts of liquid water at the surface. However, detailed observations...
Authors
Colin M. Dundas
Mars science helicopter: Compelling science enabled by an aerial platform Mars science helicopter: Compelling science enabled by an aerial platform
This whitepaper describes two conceptual vehicle designs, including possible tradeoffs within those designs, which would enable a wide array of innovative science investigations. In addition to describing vehicle capabilities, flight characteristics, and the breadth of enabled science for the two helicopter designs, we also introduce three mission concepts that showcase investigations...
Authors
Jonathan Bapst, Timothy J Parker, J Balaram, T Tzanetos, L. H. Matthies, C D Edwards, Aaron Freeman, S Withrow-Maser, W. Carter Johnson, E Amador-French, Janice L. Bishop, Ingrid J. Daubar, Colin M. Dundas, Abigail A. Fraeman, Christopher W. Hamilton, C. Hardgrove, Briony H. N. Horgan, C. W. Leung, Y. Lin, A Mittelholz, B. P. Weiss