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Isbell, Nancy K.

Publications and source records attributed to Isbell, Nancy K..

Valles Marineris tectonism: Questions and suggestions

Much has been learned about the Valles Marineris, and stratigraphic relations inside the troughs have been reasonably well established. However, many questions remain, especially questions pertaining to tectonism and origin. The following issues are briefly considered: the age of the troughs; the evidence for tectonic origin; the relation of Valles Marineris to the Tharsis rise; and the additional factors which may have influenced the origin of the Valles Marineris.

Lucchitta, Baerbel K.↗

Digital solar system geology

All available synoptic maps of the solid-surface bodies of the Solar System were digitized for presentation in the planned Atlas of the Solar System by Greeley and Batson. Since the last report (Batson et al., 1990), preliminary Uranian satellite maps were replaced with improved versions, Galilean satellite geology was simplified and digitized, structure was added to many maps, and the maps were converted to a standard format, with corresponding standing colors for the mapped units. Following these changes, the maps were re-reviewed by their authors and are now undergoing final editing before preparation for publication. In some cases (for Mercury, Venus, and Mars), more detailed maps were digitized and then simplified for the Atlas. Other detailed maps are planned to be digitized in the coming year for the Moon and the Galilean satellites. For most of the remaining bodies such as the Uranian satellites, the current digitized versions contain virtually all the detail that can be mapped given the available data; those versions will be unchanged for the Atlas. These digital geologic maps are archived at the digital scale of 1/16 degree/ pixel, in sinusoidal format. The availability of geology of the Solar System in a digital database will facilitate comparisons and integration with other data: digitized lunar geologic maps have already been used in a comparison with Galileo SSI observations of the Moon.

Batson, R. M.↗

The resurfacing history of Mars - A synthesis of digitized, viking-based geology

A global geologic map series of Mars was digitized at high resolution (1.846 sq km/pixel). It was found that the surface of Mars is predominantly volcanic. A resurfacing history was constructed by estimating the total extent of the geologic units. Eolian resurfacing was prevalent during the Late Amazonian Epoch, affecting 4.9 x 10 to the 6th sq km. It was found that resurfacing rates vary according to the absolute-age scheme used and generally decrease with time. Resurfacing rates were approximately 1000 sq km/yr during the Middle Noachian Epoch, one hundred to several hundred sq km/yr during the Late Noachian to Late Hesperian Epochs, and tens of sq km/yr or less during the Amazonian Period.

Tanaka, Kenneth L.↗