Engineering topics

Crown, David A.

Publications and source records attributed to Crown, David A..

22 records · Page 2

NASA NTRS1991

Evolution of the east rim of the Hellas basin, Mars

The Hellas basin is a dominant feature in the ancient, southern cratered highlands of Mars. The east rim of Hellas is a complex geologic region affected by volcanism, tectonism, and channeling. A detailed study of the area between 27.5-42.4 degrees S and 260-275 degrees W was initiated to analyze the processes forming surface materials and to decipher the evolution of this geologically important highland area. Major units include Hadriaca and Tyrrhena Paterae in the north and Hesperian and Amazonian channeled plains and outflow channels in the south. A brief discussion of the findings is presented.

Crown, David A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Observations of industrial sulfur flows - Implications for Io

A study of industrial liquid sulfur flows at about 130 C yields information on the thermal and rheological characteristics of the sulfur encountered in Io's volcanic activity. As the local sulfur flow cools and/or the local flow rate decreases, the formation of a crust over much of the surface does not prevent a continuation of flow underneath. Subsequent rapid development of a durable crust implies the formation of extensive crusts on Ionian sulfur flows, significantly reducing heat loss and extending flow length. It is suggested on the basis of the present laboratory results that the colors of proposed sulfur flows on Io may correlate with neither the temperature nor the inferred rheological properties attributed to the colors.

Greeley, Ronald↗

NASA NTRS1988

The Martian highland paterae: Evidence for explosive volcanism on Mars

The Martian surface exhibits numerous volcanic landforms displaying great diversity in size, age, and morphology. Most research regarding Martian volcanology has centered around effusive basaltic volcanism, including analyses of individual lava flows, extensive lava plains, and large shield volcanoes. These studies were hindered by a lack of definitive morphologic criteria for the remote identification of ash deposits. Knowledge of the abundances, ages, and geologic settings of explosive volcanic deposits on Mars is essential to a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of the Martian surface, with implications for the evolution of the lithosphere and atmosphere as well as the histories of specific volcanic centers and provinces.

Crown, David A.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Spectral properties of plagioclase and pyroxene mixtures and the interpretation of lunar soil spectra

Pyroxene and plagioclase mixtures' spectral characteristics are investigated with a view to particle size and mineral proportion effects in the cases of variously proportioned labradorite/enstatite compositional mixtures. The amount of plagioclase that will allow its band to be observed in discrete absorption is particle size-dependent; plagioclase is detectable in the flattening of the pyroxene reflectance peak that lies between the 0.9 and 1.9 micron absorption bands, if sufficient plagioclase is present. Attention is given to the combined effects of mineral proportions and particle size for plagioclase/pyroxene mixtures in the case of analogs of mature and immature lunar highland soils.

Crown, David A.↗