Young Lava Flows on the Eastern Flank of Ascraeus Mons: Rheological
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JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, VOL. 112, E05011, doi:10.1029/2006JE002717, 2007 Click Here for Full Article Young lava flows on the eastern flank of Ascraeus Mons: Rheological properties derived from High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) images and Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) data H. Hiesinger,1,2 J. W. Head III,1 and G. Neukum3 Received 21 March 2006; revised 6 September 2006; accepted 30 November 2006; published 23 May 2007. [1] We report on estimates of the rheological properties of late-stage lava flows on the eastern flank of Ascraeus Mons, Mars. From previous studies it is known that the dimensions of flows reflect rheological properties such as yield strength, effusion rates, and viscosity. Our estimates are based on new high-resolution images obtained by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on board the European Space Agency’s Mars Express spacecraft in combination with Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) data. Compared to earlier studies, the high spatial resolution of the HRSC and MOLA data allowed us to map 25 late-stage lava flows and to measure their dimensions, as well as their morphological characteristics, in greater detail. Our estimates of the yield strengths for these flows range from 2.0 Â 102 Pa to 1.3 Â 105 Pa, with an average of 2.1 Â 104 Pa. These values are in good agreement with estimates for terrestrial basaltic lava flows and are comparable to previous estimates derived for a small number of lava flows on Ascraeus Mons. Our investigation indicates that the effusion rates for the studied Ascraeus Mons flows are on average 185 m3 sÀ1, ranging from 23 m3 sÀ1 to 404 m3 sÀ1. These results are higher than earlier findings that indicate effusion rates of 18–60 m3 sÀ1, with an average of 35 m3 sÀ1. However, our effusion rates are similar to terrestrial effusion rates of Kilauea and Mauna Loa and other Martian volcanoes. On the basis of our estimates of the effusion rates and the measured dimensions of the flows, we calculated that the time necessary to emplace the flows is on average 26 days. Viscosities were estimated on the basis of yield strengths and effusion rates, yielding average values of 4.1 Â 106 Pa-s and ranging from 1.8 Â 104 Pa-s to 4.2 Â 107 Pa-s. On the basis of newly available data sets (e.g., HRSC, MOLA) we are now able not only to identify possible differences in eruptive behavior between Ascraeus Mons and Elysium Mons but also to study such differences over time. Citation: Hiesinger, H., J. W. Head III, and G. Neukum (2007), Young lava flows on the eastern flank of Ascraeus Mons: Rheological properties derived from High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) images and Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) data, J. Geophys. Res., 112, E05011, doi:10.1029/2006JE002717. 1. Introduction Head, 1982; Banerdt et al., 1992; Breuer et al., 1996; 1.1. Geological Context Harder, 1998; Smith et al., 1999a, 1999b; Zuber et al., 2000; and references therein]. MOLA data indicate that the [2] The Tharsis Montes, Arsia Mons, Pavonis Mons, and Ascraeus Mons, are large volcanic constructs that are part of Tharsis bulge is topographically separated from Olympus the Tharsis bulge. The Tharsis bulge is commonly inter- Mons and Alba Patera and is located at the Martian preted to be the result of a long-lasting large mantle diapir dichotomy boundary [e.g., Smith et al., 1999a, 1999b; that due to the absence of plate tectonics on Mars, had Zuber et al., 2000]. The Tharsis Montes are the locations enough time to significantly uplift the lithosphere and of some of the youngest volcanic deposits on Mars [Scott initiate tectonic faulting and volcanism [e.g., Solomon and and Tanaka, 1986; Neukum et al., 2004a] and also show evidence for very recent glaciation [e.g., Head and Marchant, 2003; Head et al., 2003, 2005; Shean et al., 2004; Parsons 1Department of Geological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, and Head, 2004; Neukum et al., 2004a]. As discussed below, Rhode Island, USA. 2 the Tharsis Montes are considered to be large shield Institut fu¨r Planetologie, Westfa¨lische Wilhelms-Universita¨t, Mu¨nster, volcanoes [e.g., Pike, 1978; Scott and Tanaka, 1986; Germany. 3Institut fu¨r Geologische Wissenschaften, Freie Universita¨t Berlin, Greeley and Crown, 1990], but evidence has been presented Berlin, Germany. that indicates that these volcanoes might actually be com- posite volcanoes [Head and Wilson, 1998a, 1998b; Head Copyright 2007 by the American Geophysical Union. et al., 1998b]. 0148-0227/07/2006JE002717$09.00 E05011 1of24 E05011 HIESINGER ET AL.: RHEOLOGY OF ASCRAEUS MONS LAVA FLOWS E05011 Figure 1. Geologic map of the Tharsis Montes [Scott and Tanaka, 1986]. Ascraeus Mons is at the upper right of the map. 1.2. Dimensions of 0.26 b.y. for the central shield and 0.1–0.25 b.y. for the [3] Ascraeus Mons is the northern most (11°N, 256°E) caldera fill. More recent crater counts on the basis of HRSC of the Tharsis volcanoes (Figure 1) and has a base diameter data revealed very young model ages of 0.1 b.y. for the floor of 435 km and a caldera of about 55 km on average of the main caldera and up to 0.8 b.y. for the older smaller [Hodges and Moore, 1994]. On the basis of Mariner and calderas [Neukum et al., 2004a]. Finally, Schaber et al. Viking data, Hodges and Moore [1994] estimated the height [1978] counted craters on the surrounding plains immedi- of Ascraeus Mons to be on the order of 26 km, but MOLA ately northwest, west, and southwest of Ascraeus Mons. For data indicate that the summit of the volcano is about 18 km their unit K they found 300–500 craters larger than 1 km 6 2 high (Figure 2). per 10 km (N(1) = 300–500) and for their slightly older unit M they counted 850–1150 craters larger than 1 km per 1.3. Age 106 km2 (N(1) = 850–1150). Assuming that the Martian [4] Ascraeus Mons was previously mapped by Scott et al. crater production rate is a factor of two greater than that of [1981] as Hesperian to Amazonian in age (AHvu). Similar- the Moon, Schaber et al. [1978] calculated absolute ages of ly, in the geologic map of Scott and Tanaka [1986], 0.2–0.33 b.y. for unit K and 0.58–0.78 b.y. for unit M. Ascraeus Mons is mapped as member 3 (AHt3)ofthe Figure 3 is a compilation of stratigraphic systems [e.g., Tharsis Montes Formation, which is Hesperian to Amazo- Neukum and Wise, 1976; Tanaka et al., 1992; Hartmann nian in age (N(2) = 320–440; N(5) = 50–75). Crumpler and Neukum, 2001], crater density ranges for N(2), N(5), and Aubele [1978] counted craters on two Viking images, and N(16) [Scott and Tanaka, 1986], and ages of Ascraeus located on the southeast flank (90A49) and the summit area Mons volcanic deposits found in the literature [e.g., Schaber (90A50). Compared to other Martian volcanoes such as et al., 1978; Neukum and Hiller, 1981; Scott and Tanaka, Arsia and Pavonis Mons, they found low cumulative crater 1986; Hodges and Moore, 1994; Neukum et al., 2004a]. On size distribution slopes, which they interpreted as evidence the basis of data shown in Figure 3, we conclude that the for recent obliteration of small craters by numerous lava shield itself formed at least 1to1.5 b.y. ago, and that flows. Crater counts of Neukum and Hiller [1981] suggest a units M and K are slightly younger and probably contem- model age of the central shield of Ascraeus Mons of poraneous with the covering of the caldera floors by lava 1.3 b.y. and a model age of the caldera fill of 0.4– flows. From this discussion we further conclude that the 1.0 b.y. On the basis of a model developed by Soderblom et investigated flows are not only stratigraphically young (i.e., al. [1974], Hodges and Moore [1994] published model ages 2of24 E05011 HIESINGER ET AL.: RHEOLOGY OF ASCRAEUS MONS LAVA FLOWS E05011 Figure 2. MOLA topography and MOLA shaded relief map with superposed location of HRSC orbit h0016, which was used for this analysis. superposed on older flows), but are also very young in terms flows, distinct shield-like caldera complexes, and the ap- of absolute model ages. parent distinctiveness from other edifices interpreted to represent pyroclastic eruptions [e.g., Pike, 1978; Scott and 1.4. Structure Tanaka, 1986; Greeley and Crown, 1990]. However, Head [5] Are the Tharsis Montes and Ascraeus Mons in par- and Wilson [1998a, 1998b] and Head et al. [1998b] ticular, shield volcanoes or composite volcanoes? Bates and concluded that there is a strong theoretical and observational Jackson [1984, p. 463] define a shield volcano as ‘‘a broad, basis for a reinterpretation of the Tharsis Montes as gently sloping volcanic cone of flat domical shape, usually composite volcanoes. Support for an interpretation of the several tens or hundreds of square miles in extent, built Tharsis Montes as stratovolcanoes includes observations of chiefly of overlapping and interfingering basaltic lava edifice mantling material, flank fragmental deposits, lobe- flows. Typical examples are the volcanoes Mauna Loa shaped features, smooth deposits, summit cinder cones and and Kilauea on the island of Hawaii.’’ A composite volcano constructs, near-summit pit craters, the andesitic nature of or stratovolcano is described as ‘‘a volcano that is con- some flows, similarities to other pyroclastic deposits, differ- structed of alternating layers of lava and pyroclastic depos- ences between flank vent and edifice eruptions, and the its, along with abundant dikes and sills.