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NASA NTRS1978

Thermal history and evolution of Mars

A thermal history of Mars is developed on the basis of available geophysical and geological data, including information obtained by the Viking missions. Specification of initial temperatures, composition and heat sources takes into account conduction and subsolidus mantle convection. Four phases in the Martian thermal history are distinguished. Core formation and crust differentiation occur during the first billion years. Partial melting, differentiation and outgassing of the mantle have taken place by the end of 3 billion years. In the 3- to 4-billion year epoch, the lithosphere thickens and the partial melt zone becomes deeper. By 4.6 billion years after commencement of evolution, volcanic activity has subsided, while the partial melt zone continues to shrink.

Toksoz, M. N.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Thermospheric variations as an indicator of magnetic storm heating and circulation

In situ measurements of the neutral constituent densities and temperature were made at 200 km by the open source mass spectrometer on the AE-D satellite during a rapid onset of the magnetic activity that occurred in January 1976. At high latitudes a 340 K temperature increase was accompanied by an increase in N2 and O2 concentrations, a decrease in He concentration, and a variable response in O concentration. At low latitudes, the rise in temperature was smaller, however; all constituent densities increased. It is concluded that the observed variations are consistent with heating and upward winds at high latitudes, meridional flow towards lower latitudes and subsidence near the equator.

Potter, W. E.↗

NASA NTRS1978

The tectonic and volcanic history of Mercury as inferred from studies of scarps, ridges, troughs, and other lineaments

Tectonic and volcanic modification of the Mercurian surface is discussed, and nine landform classes are defined. An evolutionary chronology, based on reported interpretations of scarp, ridge, trough, and other lineament features, is presented, and the roles (in chronological order) of accretion and differentiation, tidal spindown, plains volcanism, heavy bombardment, cooling/contraction, Caloris impact, intense surface modification, basin subsidence, local plains volcanism, isostatic basin uplift, and light cratering are considered. The observational data were obtained by Mariner 10.

Dzurisin, D.↗

NASA NTRS1978

On isostatic geoid anomalies

In regions of slowly varying lateral density changes, the gravity and geoid anomalies may be expressed as power series expansions in topography. Geoid anomalies in isostatically compensated regions can be directly related to the local dipole moment of the density-depth distribution. This relationship is used to obtain theoretical geoid anomalies for different models of isostatic compensation. The classical Pratt and Airy models give geoid height-elevation relationships differing in functional form but predicting geoid anomalies of comparable magnitude. The thermal cooling model explaining ocean floor subsidence away from mid-ocean ridges predicts a linear age-geoid height relationship of 0.16 m/m.y. Geos 3 altimetry profiles were examined to test these theoretical relationships. A profile over the mid-Atlantic ridge is closely matched by the geoid curve derived from the thermal cooling model. The observed geoid anomaly over the Atlantic margin of North America can be explained by Airy compensation. The relation between geoid anomaly and bathymetry across the Bermuda Swell is consistent with Pratt compensation with a 100-km depth of compensation.

Haxby, W. F.↗

NASA NTRS1978

On the mean meridional mass motions of the stratosphere and mesosphere

Using a simplified, approximate 'Lagrangian-mean' dynamical formulation, the mean meridional mass circulation of the stratosphere and mesosphere is discussed. Under solstice conditions, it is shown that this Lagrangian-mean circulation may be inferred, as a first approximation, from the Eulerian-mean diabatic heating. Diabatic heating rates for the solstices, originally derived by Murgatroyd and Goody (1958), result in Lagrangian-mean rising motion at the tropical tropopause, subsidence across the extra-tropical tropopause, and a very strong summer-to-winter pole flow in the mesosphere. This circulation is exactly that obtained by Murgatroyd and Singleton (1961) for the solstices. Those authors, however, attempted to identify this circulation as the Eulerian-mean motion, and were later criticized for their neglect of the meridional eddy heat flux in the calculation, which proved to be extremely important in the winter hemisphere. The present study, nevertheless, indicates that Murgatroyd and Singleton's circulation may in fact be representative of actual air parcel motions in the stratosphere and mesosphere.

Dunkerton, T.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Regional stratigraphy and geologic history of Mare Crisium

Remote sensing and Luna 24 sample data are used to develop a summary of the regional stratigraphy and geologic history of Mare Crisium. Laboratory spectra of Luna 24 samples, telescopic reflectance spectra in the 0.3 to 1.1 micron range and orbital X-ray data have identified three major basalt groups in the region. Group I soil is derived from iron- and magnesium-rich titaniferous basalts and was apparently emplaced over the majority of the basin, however is presently exposed as a shelf in the southwest part. Group II soils, derived from very low titanium ferrobasalts, were emplaced in two stages subsequent to Group I emplacement and now appear as part of the outer shelf and topographic annulus. Subsidence of the basin interior preceded and continued after the emplacement of the third basalt group, a soil derived from a low titanium ferrobasalt. The Luna 24 site is found to be within a patch of Group II material.

Head, J. W., III↗

NASA NTRS1978

Ages of flow units in the far eastern maria and implications for basin-filling history

The spatial distribution of major units of uniform relative age exposed in the far eastern maria and Mare Humorum was determined using a crater density mapping technique. Correlation of crater densities and radiometric ages of Apollo and Luna landing sites provided estimates of the absolute ages for the units. The combination of such data with relative age data from previous crater morphology studies produced a complete map of the distribution of major age units in the lunar near-side maria. The map shows that there are young (2.5 + or - 0.5 billion years old) mare basalts in the eastern maria, although most young flows occur in the western maria. The vents for the young flows generally are found along the edges of basins. Because old mare units (greater than 3.5 billion years old) are also commonly found around the edges of the basins, it is suggested that the basins were subsiding during filling, probably as a result of isostatic compensation due to the weight of the lava.

Boyce, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Polar clearing in the Venus clouds observed from the Pioneer Orbiter

High data rate, high resolution observations made by the Pioneer Venus 1 Orbiter of Venus clouds in the polar region are reported. Data obtained by the Pioneer IR radiometer reveal the presence of a localized, very warm (260 K) feature at about 80 deg N, 359 deg E, indicating a cloud height differential of about 15 km between the depressed, but not totally absent, cloud level indicated by the temperature peak and the surrounding cold zones. The observations are considered to constitute new evidence for the presence of strong atmospheric subsidence near the poles, fitting a model of vortex-type polar circulation. Implications of the observations for the single cell model of the Venus stratosphere are noted.

Taylor, F. W.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Global tectonic studies: Hotspots and anomalous topography

Volcanic activity on Earth and its secular variations are compared with that on other terrestrial planets. Activity at divergent, transform, and convergent plate margins is described with particular emphasis on hot spots and flood basalts. The timing and causing of uplifting above 500 meters, which in not associated with either plate boundaries or the normal nonplate margin edges of continents is considered with particular focus on the Guyana Highlands in southern Venezuela and western British Guiana, and the Brazilian Highlands in the central, eastern, and southern parts of the country. The mode and mechanism of plateau uplifting and the re-elevation of old mountain belts and subsidence of intra-continental basins are also discussed.

Burke, K.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Influence of magnetic pressure on stellar structure: A Mechanism for solar variability

A physical mechanism is proposed that couples the Sun's dynamo magnetic field to its gravitational potential energy. The mechanism involves the isotropic field pressure resulting in a lifting force on the convective envelope, thereby raising its potential energy. Decay of the field due to solar activity allows the envelop to subside and releases this energy, which can augment the otherwise steady solar luminosity. Equations are developed and applied to the Sun for several field configurations. The best estimate model suggests that uniform luminosity variations as large as 0.02% for half a sunspot cycle may occur. Brief temporal variations or the rotation of spatial structures could allow larger excursions in the energy released.

Schatten, K. H.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Private sector involvement in civil space remote sensing. Volume 1: Report

A survey of private sector developers, users, and interpreters of Earth resources data was conducted in an effort to encourage private investment and participation in remote sensing systems. Results indicate positive interest in participation beyond the current hardware contracting level, however, there is a substantial gap between current market levels and system costs. Issues identified include the selection process for an operating entity, the public/private interface, data collection and access policies, price and profit regulation in a subsidized system, international participation, and the responsibility for research and development. It was agreed that the cost, complexity, and security implications of integrated systems need not be an absolute bar to their private operation.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1979

A study of metabolic balance in crewmembers of Skylab IV

A metabolic balance study was conducted on the three crewmembers of the 84-day Skylab IV earth orbital mission. Dietary intake was controlled, monitored, and kept very nearly constant for a period commencing 21 days prior to flight, throughout flight, and for a period of 18 days postflight. Within the first 30 days of flight urine calcium rose to a level approx. 100% above preflight levels and remained elevated for the remainder of the flight. Fecal calcium excretion increased more slowly but continued to accelerate throughout the flight and did not return to baseline levels during the postflight period. Urinary nitrogen increased to 25-30% above preflight levels within one month following launch and thereafter gradually subsided toward control values. The overall losses of calcium averaged approx. 200 mg per day throughout the mission while nitrogen losses averaged 590 mg. Various other indices of musculoskeletal deterioration are discussed and correlated. The parallelism between the effects of weightlessness and bed rest is reviewed. It is noted, that no evidence is yet available as to the identity of the initial biological response to the absence of gravity.

Rambaut, P. C.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Origin of Valles Marineris

The purpose of the paper is to propose an origin of Valles Marineris and contiguous features such as Noctis Labyrinthus, chaotic terrain, and the large channels of Mars. These are found to: (1) be continuous to each other, (2) have gradual transition between the morphologies, (3) be related by tectonic fracturing, and associated with features of possible magmatic origin. A model is presented in which the geological process is a magmatic process, and after initial uplift and fracturing, Valles Marineris, Noctis Labyrinthus and some chaotic terrain were produced by subsidence caused by lava withdrawal.

Schonfeld, E.↗

NASA NTRS1980

New evidence for tectonic uplift in the Diablo Plateau region, West Texas

The National Geodetic Survey completed approximately 170 km of releveling in the Diablo Plateau-Salt Basin region during the fall of 1977. The survey was specifically designed to detect possible vertical crustal movements in the area. The new releveling measurements confirm contemporary uplift of the region and suggest that uplift has been continuous for the entire time the movements were monitored (1934-1977). Although the precise mechanism responsible for the observed uplift is unknown, it is almost certainly of tectonic origin. The pattern of uparching is perturbed at the Salt Basin graben, indicating 4.2 + or - 0.3 cm of subsidence relative to its margins between 1958 and 1977.

Reilinger, R.↗

NASA NTRS1980

A narrow clear zone over Florida and the Atlantic Ocean

A narrow cloud-free zone of large longitudinal extent was observed in visible and infrared satellite imagery on September 21, 1978. An attempt to explain the zone in terms of subsidence induced by a transverse frontal circulation is presented.

Negri, A. J.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Thermal structure and dynamics of the Jovian Atmosphere. 1: The Great Red Spot

Temperatures and thermal winds, derived from Voyager infrared spectroscopy (IRIS) data over the Great Red Spot (GRS) and its environs, are presented. The atmosphere over the GRS is characterized by a tropopause which is cold relative to its environment and an upper stratosphere which is relatively warm. The cold tropopause implies a decrease in anticyclonic vorticity with height above 500 mb through the lower stratosphere. IRIS observations at 5 microns indicate little emission from the GRS itself, but enhanced emission in a ring about it, in agreement with recent ground based results. The behavior of the tropopause and 5 micron temperatures can be consistently interpreted as resulting from a circulation which rises within the GRS and subsides in the area around it. The explanation of the upper stratospheric temperatures is not so straightforward. A previous suggestion that they may be a manifestation of the linear vertical propagation of Rossby waves appears inconsistent with the gross east-west symmetry in the stratospheric temperatures over the GRS. The implications of the present results for various theoretical models of the GRS are examined, and the possibility that latent heat release drives the GRS is discussed.

Flasar, F. M.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Thermal structure and dynamics of the Jovian atmosphere. 2: Visible cloud features

Voyager IRIS data reveal strong similarities among a broad range of features which differ considerably in visual appearance. The atmosphere above anticyclonic features, including the major white ovals, the Great Red Spot, and a zone, are cold relative to the immediate surroundings in the upper troposphere and tropopause region. These results are consistent with upwelling and divergence in this part of the atmosphere. A hot spot and a barge, which are localized cyclonic features, are found to be warm relative to their surroundings, implying subsidence with accompanying convergence. In all cases, the thermal wind shear associated with the features indicates a decay of the vorticity with height in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. Vertical velocities inferred from the observed temperature perturbations imply an upper limit of vertical mixing times near the tropopause of approximately 20 years. Temperatures in the upper stratosphere above the anticyclonic features show considerable variation, but in most cases are found to be relatively warm.

Conrath, B. J.↗

NASA NTRS1980

A numerical study of a marine subtropical stratus cloud layer and its stability

A model for numerical simulation of stratus cloud layers is constructed by combining a second-order closure, turbulent transfer model with a thermal radiative transfer model. The turbulent transfer model allows water vapor saturation. The combined turbulence-radiation model is applied to both a horizontally uniform one-dimensional case and a horizontally nonuniform two-dimensional case. In the latter, the dynamics of mesoscale circulations are also incorporated. Results of the two-dimensional simulation show that the layer cloud instability occurs where the sea surface temperature is high and the large-scale subsidence is weak. The simulated instability is analyzed in view of an instability criterion, the eddy kinetic energy budget, and evaporative cooling near the cloud top.

Moeng, C.-H.↗