Valley network morphology in the greater Meridiani Planum region, Mars

Abstract

The Greater Meridiani Planum region on Mars is a key locale for a diverse range of fluvial landforms. Valley networks in this region have a range of geomorphologic styles that include negative relief, positive relief, or some combination of both along their lengths. Using highresolution ∼5-6 m/pixel orbital images in ArcGIS Desktop software, we mapped previously under-recognized fine-scale valley networks within the Greater Meridiani Planum region and recorded their geomorphic characteristics as feature attributes. The objectives in using the mapped features are to 1) document the full range of valley network morphologic types in the region, 2) document changes in morphologic types both on a regional scale and along the valley network segments, and 3) to use the mapped features along with other geologic information from previous studies to better understand landscape evolution in the Greater Meridiani Planum region.

A Diverse Array of Fluvial Depositional Systems in Arabia Terra: Evidence for mid‐Noachian to Early Hesperian Rivers on Mars

“…Numerous branching and curvilinear ridge systems are exposed at the surface throughout Arabia Terra. (Figures , , and S1; e.g., Chuang & Williams, ; Davis et al, ; Williams et al, ; note the descriptions in this section are also applicable to those in section ). These ridges are generally contiguous or semicontiguous for tens of kilometers, with the longest observed contiguous segment being ~200 km in length (six additional segments are greater than 100 km; Table S2).…”

“…Although valley networks are generally absent in southwest Arabia Terra (Alemanno et al, 2018;Hynek et al, 2010), several large, regionally integrated erosional valley networks and intravalley basins traverse the central region of Arabia Terra (e.g., Naktong, Scamander Vallis), interpreted to have formed near the Noachian/Hesperian boundary (Fassett & Head, 2008a;Goudge et al, 2012;Irwin et al, 2005). Underlying the etched units is a network of branching and sinuous ridges, which comprise the remains of fluvial channel deposits (Chuang & Williams, 2018;Davis et al, 2016;Williams et al, 2018) and are predominantly found on middle to late Noachian age terrains (Hynek & Di Achille, 2017).…”

“…The height of the ridges ranges from several meters to around 50-100 m high (Figure S1). There is significant variability in the topographic profile of the ridges (both flat and rounded ridge crests are observed) and in their preservation style (see also Chuang & Williams, 2018).…”