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MacKenzie M Mills

Physical Scientist for the Washington Water Science Center

Professional Experience

  • Physical Scientist, USGS Washington Water Science Center, Tacoma, WA, 2024-Present

  • Hydrologic Field Assistant, USGS Washington Water Science Center, Tacoma, WA, 2023-2024

Education and Certifications

  • PhD, Planetary Sciences, University of Arizona, 2024

  • MS, Planetary Sciences, University of Arizona, 2022

  • BA, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, 2020

Science and Products

Analyzing spatial distributions and alignments of pitted cone features in Utopia Planitia on Mars

Martian geomorphology and surface features provide links to understanding past geologic processes such as fluid movement, local and regional tectonics, and feature formation mechanisms. Pitted cones are common features in the northern plains basins of Mars. They have been proposed to have formed from upwelling volatile-rich fluids, such as magma or water-sediment slurries. In this study, we map th
Authors
Mackenzie M. Mills, Alfred S. McEwen, Amanda N. Hughes, Ji-Eun Kim, Chris Okubo
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Astrogeology Science Center

A preliminary regional geomorphologic map in Utopia Planitia of the Tianwen-1 Zhurong Landing Region

A geomorphologic map is an important step to understanding the geologic context and history of a site; here, we present an initial geomorphologic map for an area spanning 22°–26°N, 108°–112°E in the Utopia Planitia (UP) region on Mars. This site is of special interest because it contains the May 2021 landing site of the Zhurong rover from Tianwen-1. Utopia Planitia exhibits many lobate features th
Authors
Mackenzie M Mills, Alfred S. McEwen, Chris Okubo
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Astrogeology Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Mills, M.M. et al. (2023), Moonquake-triggered mass wasting processes on icy satellites, Icarus, 399, 115534, doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2023.115534
Mills, M.M. et al. (2024), A global dataset of pitted cones on Mars, Icarus, 418, 116145, doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116145

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

Science and Products

Analyzing spatial distributions and alignments of pitted cone features in Utopia Planitia on Mars

Martian geomorphology and surface features provide links to understanding past geologic processes such as fluid movement, local and regional tectonics, and feature formation mechanisms. Pitted cones are common features in the northern plains basins of Mars. They have been proposed to have formed from upwelling volatile-rich fluids, such as magma or water-sediment slurries. In this study, we map th
Authors
Mackenzie M. Mills, Alfred S. McEwen, Amanda N. Hughes, Ji-Eun Kim, Chris Okubo
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Astrogeology Science Center

A preliminary regional geomorphologic map in Utopia Planitia of the Tianwen-1 Zhurong Landing Region

A geomorphologic map is an important step to understanding the geologic context and history of a site; here, we present an initial geomorphologic map for an area spanning 22°–26°N, 108°–112°E in the Utopia Planitia (UP) region on Mars. This site is of special interest because it contains the May 2021 landing site of the Zhurong rover from Tianwen-1. Utopia Planitia exhibits many lobate features th
Authors
Mackenzie M Mills, Alfred S. McEwen, Chris Okubo
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Astrogeology Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Mills, M.M. et al. (2023), Moonquake-triggered mass wasting processes on icy satellites, Icarus, 399, 115534, doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2023.115534
Mills, M.M. et al. (2024), A global dataset of pitted cones on Mars, Icarus, 418, 116145, doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116145

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

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