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Geissler, P. E.

Publications and source records attributed to Geissler, P. E..

12 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2010

Volcanism on Io: Results from Global Geologic Mapping

We have completed a new 1:15,000,000 global geologic map of Jupiter's volcanic moon, Io, based on a set of 1 km/pixel combined Galileo- Voyager mosaics produced by the U.S. Geological Survey. The map was produced over the last three years using ArcGIS(TM) software, and has undergone peer-review. Here we report some of the key results from our global mapping efforts, and how these results relate to questions regarding the volcano-tectonic evolution of Io.

Williams, David A.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Volcanism on Io: Insights from Global Geologic Mapping

We are preparing a new global geo-logic map of Jupiter s volcanic moon, Io. Here we report the type of data that are now available from our global mapping efforts, and how these data can be used to investigate questions regarding the volcano-tectonic evolution of Io. We are using the new map to investigate several specific questions about the geologic evolution of Io that previously could not be well addressed, including (for example) a comparison of the areas vs. the heights of Ionian mountains to assess their stability and evolution (Fig. 1). The area-height relationships of Io s visible mountains show the low abundance and low relief of volcanic mountains (tholi) relative to tectonic mountains, consistent with formation from low-viscosity lavas less likely to build steep edifices. Mottled mountains are generally less high than lineated mountains, consistent with a degradational formation.

Williams, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Global Geologic Mapping of Io: Preliminary Results

A new global geologic map of Jupiter's volcanic moon, Io is being prepared, with the focus being on completion of a draft map by July 2008. Here initial results of the mapping are reported: a preliminary distribution of material units in terms of areas and a visual representation. Additionally, the mapping hopes to address some of the problems in Io geology. Thus far it has been discovered that Io's surface is dominated by plains material, thought to consist of Io's silicate crust covered by pyroclastic deposits and lava flows of silicate and sulfur-bearing composition. Many plains areas contain flow fields that cannot be mapped separately due to a lack of resolution or modification by alteration processes. Discrete lava flows and flow fields are the next most abundant unit, with bright (sulfur?) flows in greater abundance than dark (silicate?) flows. The source of most of Io's heat flow, the paterae, are the least abundant unit in terms of areal extent.Upon completion of the draft map for peer review, it will be used to investigate several specific questions about the geological evolution of Io that previously could not be well addressed, including: comparison of the areas versus the heights of Ionian mountains to assess their stability and evolution; correlation and comparison of Galileo Near-Infrared Mapping Spectrometer and Photopolarimeter-Radiometer hot spot locations with the mapped location of dark versus bright lava flows and patera floors to assess any variations in the types of sources for Io's active volcanism; and the creation of a global inventory of the areal coverage of dark and bright laval flows to assess the relative importance of sulfur versus silicate volcanism in resurfacing Io, and to assess whether there are regional concentrations of either style of volcanism that may have implications on interior processes.

Williams, David A.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Windy Mars: A Dynamic Planet as Seen by the HiRISE Camera

With a dynamic atmosphere and a large supply of particulate material, the surface of Mars is heavily influenced by wind-driven, or aeolian, processes. The High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) provides a new view of Martian geology, with the ability to see decimeter-size features. Current sand movement, and evidence for recent bedform development, is observed. Dunes and ripples generally exhibit complex surfaces down to the limits of resolution. Yardangs have diverse textures, with some being massive at HiRISE scale, others having horizontal and cross-cutting layers of variable character, and some exhibiting blocky and polygonal morphologies. 'Reticulate' (fine polygonal texture) bedforms are ubiquitous in the thick mantle at the highest elevations.

Mars↗
NASA NTRS2000

A close-up look at Io from Galileo's near-infrared mapping spectrometer

Infrared spectral images of Jupiter's volcanic moon Io, acquired during the October and November 1999 and February 2000 flybys of the Galileo spacecraft, were used to study the thermal structure and sulfur dioxide distribution of active volcanoes. Loki Patera, the solar system's most powerful known volcano, exhibits large expanses of dark, cooling lava on its caldera floor. Prometheus, the site of long-lived plume activity, has two major areas of thermal emission, which support ideas of plume migration. Sulfur dioxide deposits were mapped at local scales and show a more complex relationship to surface colors than previously thought, indicating the presence of other sulfur compounds.

long duration↗
NASA NTRS1994

Opportunity to sample something different: The dark, unweathered, mafic sands of Cerberus and the Pathfinder 1997 Mars landing

A very important surface component, typically described as 'dark gray material', was not seen at the Viking lander sites, but is common to all low-albedo regions on Mars. Dark material probably includes unaltered mafic volcanic and/or crustal rock and soil not coated by dust, weathering rinds, or varnish. A Pathfinder landing in Cerberus (9 deg N - 16 deg N, 194 deg W - 215 deg W) will guarantee examination of materials that are distinctly different from the two Viking lander sites. In situ study of dark material will provide vital ground truth for orbiter-based observations like those anticipated from Mars '94/'96 and Mars Global Surveyor.

Edgett, Kenneth S.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Stratigraphy and erosional landforms of layered deposits in Valles Marineris, Mars

Satellite imagery is used to identify stratigraphy and erosional landforms of 13 layered deposits in the Valles Marineris region of Mars (occurring, specifically, in Gangis, Juventae, Hebes, Ophir-Candor, Melas, and Capri-Eos Chasmata), based on albedo and erosional styles. Results of stratigraphic correlations show that the stratigraphy of layered deposits in the Hebes, Juventae, and Gangis Chasmata are not well correlated, indicating that at least these chasmata had isolated depositional environments resulting in different stratigraphic sequences. On the other hand, the layered deposits in Ophir-Candor and Melas Chasmata appear to have been connected in each chasma. Some of the layered deposits display complexities which indicate changes in space and time in the dominant source materials.

Komatsu, G.↗
NASA NTRS1993

A mineralized zone in Western Candor Chasma, Mars

Spectral evidence from Viking and Phobos orbiting spacecraft suggests the local development of crystalline ferric oxides in a small region within Mars' equatorial Valles Marineris canyon system. This is the same area noted for its anomalous coloration in Viking Orbiter image 583 A by McEwen. The unique hue of the region in Viking color data is due to a reduced green filter reflectance, relative to violet and red, in comparison to surrounding materials of similar albedo or average reflectance. For this reason, the region does not appear spectrally distinctive in later Survey Mission images which were acquired without the green filter. In high resolution, the spectral unit can be seen to correspond to two 20 km long depressions on the margins of Candor Mensa, a heavily eroded plateau-forming deposit on the canyon floor. Laminae are conspicuous in several places on the plateau, particularly where 15 to 20 cycles of alternating bright and dark laminae are exposed at approximately 200 meter vertical intervals. Laminae are also visible on the steep, vertically fluted cliffs to the south of this depression. Concentric laminae indicate a basis in the depression on the southeastern margin of Candor Mensa at the location of the less pronounced hue anomaly. A distinct lineation at the base of the scarp at the western end of the canyon transects mottled canyon floor deposits believed to be among the youngest in the Valles marineris. Water is implicated in the formation of the iron oxides, since the steep surfaces of layered sediments elsewhere on Candor Mensa show no evidence of unusual coloration despite the fact that these materials were deposited concurrently with the strata exposed in the depressions. This suggests that the mineralization is secondary in nature and developed locally in association with the depressions, which could have ponded surface runoff or groundwater seepage.

Geissler, P. E.↗
NASA NTRS1992

An unusual spectral unit in West Candor Chasma: Evidence for hydrothermal or aqueous alteration?

A spectrally distinctive unit on the floor of W. Candor Chasma (6 S, 76 W) in the central Valles Marineris may be a likely candidate for hydrothermal or aqueous alteration. This unusual material is noticeably redder than nearby plains and canyon floor-covering deposits of similar brightness in several Viking Orbiter color composite images calibrated using PICS Level I procedures. The surrounding plains and canyon floor units have colors that are typical for much of the weathered soil on Mars. Relative to adjacent materials, the West Candor unit has lower green-filter reflectance and higher red-filter reflectance. While subtle, these spectral characteristics were observed for this unit in a number of multi-spectral images acquired at different seasons and phase angles. When the color image data are transformed to hue, saturation, and value coordinates, the West Candor material stands out prominently among the rocks and soils of Coprates Quadrangle as a spatially coherent unit with a unique hue. Physically, this means that the unit is compositionally distinct (unlike most of the bright materials in the region), since its spectral reflectance cannot be obtained through simple multiplicative scaling of the reflectance of the surrounding bright materials or by altering the spectral reflectance of the surrounding materials with an additive constant that is independent of wavelength. Recent studies of the directional reflectance properties of the surface in this region indicate that the photometric phase function of the unit is similar to that of surrounding bright materials (isotropic to slightly back scattering).

Geissler, P. E.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The canyon system on Mars

Individual Martian equatorial troughs are described, and their stratigraphy, geomorphology and structure are discussed. Possible origins and the overall sequence of events are addressed. Wall rock, interior layered deposits, irregular floor deposits, fractured floor material, and surficial deposits are examined. Chasma walls, wall stability, pits and pit chains, tributary canyons, and the transition from troughs to channels are also discussed.

Lucchitta, B. K.↗