Sixth International Conference on Mars (2003) 3091.pdf TONGUE-SHAPED LOBES ON MARS: MORPHOLOGY, NOMENCLATURE, AND RELATION TO ROCK GLACIER DEPOSITS. D. R. Marchant1 and J. W. Head2, 1Department of Earth Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215
[email protected], 2Department of Geological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912. Introduction: Recent work based upon Mars Global Different processes and environments could produce Surveyor (MGS) data [1,2], in conjunction with previous similar or gradational landforms and thus the landforms analyses of Viking data [3], suggests that rock glaciers, simi- themselves might not be unequivocal indicators of a specific lar in form to those found in polar climates on Earth, have origin. Thus, we follow Whalley and Azizi [1] and suggest been an active erosional feature in the recent geologic history that non-genetic descriptive terms be used for the martian of Mars. A wide range of literature exists describing rock features. glacier characteristics, form, and distribution, but diversity of Martian Features: We have developed a descriptive, opinion exists on rock glacier nomenclature and genesis. non-genetic nomenclature for the topography, features and In this contribution we outline the two-fold genetic clas- deposits associated with these structures. sification of Benn and Evans [4] for terrestrial rock glaciers, We call on established anatomical morphology for no- and then propose a non-genetic descriptive set of terms to be menclature. The tongue-shaped lobe can be divided into the applied to martian features. tip, or apex, the blade (the flat surface just behind the tip), Terrestrial Classification: Benn and Evans [4] applied the body and its rear part (the dorsum), and the tongue root.