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NASA NTRS1992

Long Term Stratospheric Aerosol Lidar Measurements in Kyushu

Lidar soundings of the stratospheric aerosols have been made since 1972 at Fukuoka, Kyushu Island of Japan. Volcanic clouds from eruptions of La Soufriere, Sierra Negra, St. Helens, Uluwan, Alaid, unknown volcano, and El Chichon were detected one after another in only three years from 1979 to 1982. In july 1991 strong scattering layers which were originated from the serious eruptions of Pinatubo in June and were almost comparable to the El Chichon clouds were detected. Volcanic clouds from pinatubo and other volcanos mentioned are examined and carefully compared to each other and to the wind and temperature which was measured by Fukuoka Meteorological Observatory almost at the same time as the lidar observation was made.

Fujiwara, Motowo↗

NASA NTRS1992

Valley systems on Tyrrhena Patera, Mars - Earth-based radar measurements of slopes

The presently treated eight topographic profiles across the Martian volcano Tyrrhena Patera indicate that the vocano rises about 1.5 km above the plains of Hesperia Planum to the east, and exhibit an average height/diameter ratio of about 1:340. The slopes of the northern flank of Tyrrhena Patera bear little correlation with the width or depth of valley systems in that area, suggesting that erosion by gravity-driven flows was not responsible for valley formation. Attention is given to such other valley geometry and location controlling factors as ground-water release variations and volcano surface unit materials' strength differences.

Zisk, S. H.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Cooling rate of an active Hawaiian lava flow from nighttime spectroradiometer measurements

A narrow-band spectroradiometer has been used to make nighttime measurements of the Phase 50 eruption of Pu'u O'o, on the East Rift Zone of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii. On February 19, 1992, a GER spectroradiometer was used to determine the cooling rate of an active lava flow. This instrument collects 12-bit data between 0.35 to 3.0 microns at a spectral resolution of 1-5 nm. Thirteen spectra of a single area on a pahoehoe flow field were collected over a 59 minute period (21:27-22:26 HST) from which the cooling of the lava surface has been investigated. A two-component thermal mixing model (Flynn, 1992) applied to data for the flow immediately on emplacement gave a best-fit crustal temperature of 768 C, a hot component at 1150 C, and a hot radiating area of 3.6 percent of the total area. Over a 52-minute period (within the time interval between flow resurfacings) the lava flow crust cooled by 358 to 410 C at a rate that was as high as 15 C/min. The observations have significance both for satellite observations of active volcanoes and for numerical models of the cooling of lava flows during their emplacement.

Flynn, Luke P.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Venus: Preliminary geologic mapping of southern Beta Regio-northern Phoebe Regio

New preliminary geologic maps of C1 sheets 15N283 and 00N283 were compiled according to Magellan data. The oldest terrains are tesserae that have fragmentlike shapes. Its margins are partly buried by younger plain materials. Volcanic plains are the dominant types of terrains. There are many different volcanic features on plains: radar-bright and -dark flows and spots, shield volcanos, volcanic domes and hills with varied morphology, and coronalike constructions. Devana Chasma rift crosses the surface between Beta Regio and Phoebe regio. The rift's normal faults dissect volcanic plains and shield volcanos. The rift valleys are relatively young structures. According to structural analysis of the rift valleys we conclude the rift originated due to 5-10 percent crustal extension and crustal subsidence. Devana Chasma rift is characterized by shoulder uplifts.

Nikishin, A. M.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Volcanic geology of Hadriaca Patera and the eastern Hellas region of Mars

A detailed examination of the geomorphology of Hadriaca Patera, a low-relief volcano in the southern highlands of Mars northeast of the Hellas basin, is presented, and the surrounding eastern Hellas region is considered in order to assess whether the volcanic geology of Hadriaca Patera is consistent with previous characterizations and highland paterae. The morphologic characteristics of the channels suggest erosion by groundwater sapping and surface runoff. The erosional morphology of the volcano, the lack of lava flow features, and the friable nature of the flank materials indicate that Hadriaca Patera consists predominantly of pyroclastic deposits. From the predominance of hydrovolcanic eruptions in the development of Hadriaca and Tyrrhena patera, it is inferred that the transition in volcanic eruption style can be attributed to a volatile depletion of the crust, whereas magmatic eruptions at the paterae would be indicative of temporal changes in Martian magmas.

Crown, David A.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Recent volcanic activity on Venus - Evidence from radiothermal emissivity measurements

Radiothermal emissivity measurements are analyzed in order to study large volcanic constructs on Venus and to correlate details of the reflectivity/emissivity patterns with geological landforms and stratigraphy visible in corresponding SAR images. There appears to be a correlation between locations on Venus where high emissivity at high altitudes and low emissivity at low altitudes are observed. These phenomena are attributed here to relatively recent volcanic activity: the former to summit eruptions that have not had time to weather to the low-emissivity state, the latter to continuing emission of volcanic gases from neighboring small plains volcanoes. The pattern of reflectivity and emissivity on Maat Mons is examined in the light of these findings. It is concluded that Maat Mons has undergone the most recent episode of volcanic activity of all the volcanoes studied here.

Robinson, Cordula A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Volcanic thermal features observed by AVIRIS

In July 1991, Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) was flown over Mount Etna and Stromboli, Italy. Lava-filled vents were then present within summit craters of both volcanoes. Since surfaces at magmatic temperatures radiate strongly over the wavelength ranges of the AVIRIS C- and D-spectrometers, it was hoped that the data collected would reveal clear thermal signatures, even of sub-pixel sized features, as have been observed in the 1.65 and 2.22 microns bands of Landsat Thematic Mapper images. This would provide an opportunity to explore the potential of imaging spectrometers for deriving temperature distributions of hot volcanic surfaces. Such research has implications for volcano monitoring in the EOS era, and also for any future AVIRIS deployments above active lava flows, lakes, and domes, where understanding of their behavior may be advanced by detailed thermal observations.

Oppenheimer, Clive↗

NASA NTRS1993

Possible flexural signatures around Olympus and Ascraeus Montes, Mars

The effective elastic thickness (h) of the lithosphere provides a measure of the thermal and mechanical state of a planet's shallow interior. An estimate of h in the vicinity of a feature that constitutes a load on a planetary surface can be determined from the flexural response of the lithosphere to the load. This approach has been applied to Mars by calculating radial stresses associated with lithospheric flexure associated with surface loads, and comparing the results to the positions of circumferential graben surrounding the major Martian shield volcanoes and mascon basins. However, many prominent surface loads on Mars, most notably the Olympus Mons volcano, do not exhibit flexural graben. In these instances application of the above method can provide only a lower limit of effective elastic thickness. An alternative method of determining h is to calculate the vertical displacements associated with the flexural loading and to compare the amplitude and shape of the flexural profile to observed topography. This method has not been applied to flexural problems on Mars because of the poor resolution of Martian topographic data. However, previous analyses have shown that the lithosphere around major volcanic shields should exhibit vertical deflections of order 1 km over horizontal baselines of order 100 km. We were thus motivated to search for the presence of flexural troughs in the existing Mars topography data.

Zuber, M. T.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Comparison of the impact of volcanic eruptions and aircraft emissions on the aerosol mass loading and sulfur budget in the stratosphere

Data obtained by the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) 1 and 2 were used to study the temporal variation of aerosol optical properties and to assess the mass loading of stratospheric aerosols from the eruption of volcanos Ruiz and Kelut. It was found that the yearly global average of optical depth at 1.0 micron for stratospheric background aerosols in 1979 was 1.16 x 10(exp -3) and in 1989 was 1.66 x 10(exp -3). The eruptions of volcanos Ruiz and Kelut ejected at least 5.6 x 10(exp 5) and 1.8 x 10(exp 5) tons of materials into the stratosphere, respectively. The amount of sulfur emitted per year from the projected subsonic and supersonic fleet is comparable to that contained in the background aerosol particles in midlatitudes from 35 deg N to 55 deg N.

Yue, Glenn K.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Collection of Magellan Venus Radar Mapping Results

Through computer animation several geological features of Venus are presented in this video. The Sif Mons, a 1.2 mile high volcano and the Gula Mons, a 1.8 mile high volcano are shown. Also, radar images of a rift valley, several impact craters, and a corona can be seen. The video ends with a northeast view of Eistla Regio.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1994

Assessment of antipodal-impact terrains on Mars

The regions anitpodal to Mars' three largest impact basins, Hellas, Isidis, and Argyre, were assessed for evidence of impact-induced disrupted terrains. Photogeology and computer modeling using the Simplified Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (SALE) finite element code suggest that such terrains could have been found by the Hellas impact. Maximum antipodal pressures are 1100 MPa for Hellas, 520 MPa for Isidis, and 150 MPa for Argyre. The results suggest that if antipodal fracturing were associated with later volcanism, then Alba Patera may be related to the Hellas event, as proposed by Peterson (1978). Alba Patera is a unique volcano in the solar system, being a shield volcano which emitted large volume lava flows. This volcanism could be the result of the focusing of seismic energy which created a fractured region that served as a volcanic conduit for the future release of large volumes of magma. No disrupted terrain features are observed antipodal to the Isidis or Argyre basins, although some of the old fractures in Noctis Labyrinthus could have originated in response to the Isidis impact, and later have been reactivated by the Tharsis tectonics assumed to have produced Noctis. If the lower calculated antipodal pressures for Argyre were capable of producing disrupted terrains, then the terrains have been covered subsequently by volcanic or aeolian material, or modified beyond recognition.

Williams, David A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

STS-46 Post Flight Press Conference

At a post flight press conference, the flight crew of the STS-46 mission (Cmdr. Loren Shriver, Pilot Andrew Allen, Mission Specialists Claude Nicollier (European Space Agency (ESA)), Marsha Ivins (Flight Engineer), Jeff Hoffman (Payload Commander), Franklin Chang-Dias, and Payload Specialist Franco Malerba (Italian Space Agency (ISA))) discussed their roles in and presented video footage, slides and still photographs of the different aspects of their mission. The primary objectives of the mission were the deployment of ESA's European Retrievable Carrier (EURECA) satellite and the joint NASA/ISA deployment and testing of the Tethered Satellite System (TSS). Secondary objectives included the IMAX Camera, the Limited Duration Space Environment Candidate Materials Exposure (LDVE), and the Pituitary Growth Hormone Cell Function (PHCF) experiments. Video footage of the EURECA and TSS deployment procedures are shown. Earth views were extensive and included Javanese volcanoes, Amazon basin forest ground fires, southern Mexico, southern Bolivian volcanoes, south-west Sudan and the Sahara Desert, and Melville Island, Australia. Questions from reporters and journalists from Johnson Space Center and Kennedy Space Center were discussed.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1997

Large Volcanic Rises on Venus

Large volcanic rises on Venus have been interpreted as hotspots, or the surface manifestation of mantle upwelling, on the basis of their broad topographic rises, abundant volcanism, and large positive gravity anomalies. Hotspots offer an important opportunity to study the behavior of the lithosphere in response to mantle forces. In addition to the four previously known hotspots, Atla, Bell, Beta, and western Eistla Regiones, five new probable hotspots, Dione, central Eistla, eastern Eistla, Imdr, and Themis, have been identified in the Magellan radar, gravity and topography data. These nine regions exhibit a wider range of volcano-tectonic characteristics than previously recognized for venusian hotspots, and have been classified as rift-dominated (Atla, Beta), coronae-dominated (central and eastern Eistla, Themis), or volcano-dominated (Bell, Dione, western Eistla, Imdr). The apparent depths of compensation for these regions ranges from 65 to 260 km. New estimates of the elastic thickness, using the 90 deg and order spherical harmonic field, are 15-40 km at Bell Regio, and 25 km at western Eistla Regio. Phillips et al. find a value of 30 km at Atla Regio. Numerous models of lithospheric and mantle behavior have been proposed to interpret the gravity and topography signature of the hotspots, with most studies focusing on Atla or Beta Regiones. Convective models with Earth-like parameters result in estimates of the thickness of the thermal lithosphere of approximately 100 km. Models of stagnant lid convection or thermal thinning infer the thickness of the thermal lithosphere to be 300 km or more. Without additional constraints, any of the model fits are equally valid. The thinner thermal lithosphere estimates are most consistent with the volcanic and tectonic characteristics of the hotspots. Estimates of the thermal gradient based on estimates of the elastic thickness also support a relatively thin lithosphere (Phillips et al.). The advantage of larger estimates of the thermal lithospheric thickness is that they provide an explanation for the apparently modest levels of geologic activity on Venus over the last half billion years.

Smrekar, Suzanne E.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Planetary Volcanism

The final report consists of 10 journal articles concerning Planetary Volcanism. The articles discuss the following topics: (1) lunar stratigraphy; (2) cryptomare thickness measurements; (3) spherical harmonic spectra; (4) late stage activity of volcanoes on Venus; (5) stresses and calderas on Mars; (6) magma reservoir failure; (7) lunar mare basalt volcanism; (8) impact and volcanic glasses in the 79001/2 Core; (9) geology of the lunar regional dark mantle deposits; and (10) factors controlling the depths and sizes of magma reservoirs in Martian volcanoes.

Antonenko, I.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Submarine Analogs to Venusian Pancake Domes

The morphology and dimensions of the large diameter, steep-sided, flat-topped "pancake domes" on Venus make them unlike any type of terrestrial subaerial volcano. Comparisons between images of Hawaiian seamounts and pancake domes show similarities in shapes and secondary features. The morphometry of pancake domes is closer to that of Pacific seamounts than subaerial lava domes. Considering both morphology and morphometry, seamounts seem a better analog to the pancake domes. The control of volatile exsolution by pressure on Venus and the seafloor can cause lavas to have similar viscosities and densities, although the latter will be counteracted by high buoyancy underwater. However, analogous effects of the Venusian and seafloor alone are probably not sufficient to produce similar volcanoes. Rather, Venusian lavas of various compositions may behave like basalt on the seafloor if appropriate rates and modes of extrusion and planetary thermal structure are also considered.

Bridges, Nathan T.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Warrego Valles and Other Candidate Sites of Local Hydrothermal Activity Within The Thaumasia Region, Mars

We have previously demonstrated for the Thaumasia region of Mars that: (1) valley formation peaked during the Noachian and declined substantially during the Hesperian and Amazonian Periods and (2) valleys, many of which form networking systems, largely occur near volcanoes, highly faulted terrains, and large impact craters of similar age, thus suggesting hydrothermal activity. In Tanaka et al, the various hypotheses for valley formation on Mars are presented, and a geologic explanation for valley erosion in the Thaumasia region is given that "best fits" the region's geographic and geologic datasets. That comprehensive GIS-based investigation suggests that hydrothermal and seismic activity were the primary causes of valley formation in the Thaumasia region; the data make widespread precipitation less likely as a major factor in valley formation, except perhaps during the Early Noachian, for which much of the geologic record has been destroyed. Based on the reconstruction of the stratigraphic, tectonic, volcanic, and erosional histories and the close association of valleys in time and space with Noachian to Early Hesperian volcanoes and rift systems and Hesperian to Early Amazonian impact craters less than 50 km in diameter, we propose 13 sites of hydrothermal activity within the Thaumasia region; these are the best examples of valleys associated with these geologic features, but there are other less pronounced correlations elsewhere in the region.

Dohm, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS2002

The Diverse Surface Compositions of the Galilean Satellites

The galilean satellites represent a diverse collection, ranging from the volcanic moon Io, with a surface that is changing yearly, to Callisto, with a dark, ancient surface overlying ice. The composition of these surfaces are also quite different due to a variety of processes and influences, including tidal heating, radiolysis, gardening, a magnetic field (Ganymede), and meteoritic infall. Io's surface contains large quantities of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and colorful sulfur allotropes, both originating in plumes and flows from the tidally driven volcanoes. A broad, 1-micron band is found at high latitudes and may be due to absorption by long-chain sulfur polymers produced by SO2 radiolysis, although iron and iron sulfide compounds are candidates. An unidentified 3.15 micron absorber is equatorially distributed while a 4.62 micron band, perhaps due to a sulfate compound, exhibits a non-uniform distribution. Hot spots are generally dark, and some exhibit negative reflectance slopes (i.e., blue). The composition of these lavas has not been established spectroscopically, but the high temperatures of some volcanoes suggest ultramafic silicates or perhaps more refractory material such as oxides.

Carlson, R. W.↗

NASA NTRS2002

Localized Gravity/Topography Admittance and Correlation Spectra on Mars: Implications for Regional and Global Evolution

[i] From gravity and topography data collected by the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft we calculate gravity/topography admittances and correlations in the spectral domain and compare them to those predicted from models of lithospheric flexure. On the basis of these comparisons we estimate the thickness of the Martian elastic lithosphere (T(sub e)) required to support the observed topographic load since the time of loading. We convert T(sub e) to estimates of heat flux and thermal gradient in the lithosphere through a consideration of the response of an elastic/plastic shell. In regions of high topography on Mars (e.g., the Tharsis rise and associated shield volcanoes), the mass-sheet (small-amplitude) approximation for the calculation of gravity from topography is inadequate. A correction that accounts for finite-amplitude topography tends to increase the amplitude of the predicted gravity signal at spacecraft altitudes. Proper implementation of this correction requires the use of radii from the center of mass (collectively known as the planetary shape ) in lieu of topography referenced to a gravitational equipotential. Anomalously dense surface layers or buried excess masses are not required to explain the observed admittances for the Tharsis Montes or Olympus Mons volcanoes when this correction is applied. Derived T, values generally decrease with increasing age of the lithospheric load, in a manner consistent with a rapid decline of mantle heat flux during the Noachian and more modest rates of decline during subsequent epochs.

McGovern, Patrick J.↗