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Maxwell, T. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Maxwell, T. A..

31 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1982

Orientation and origin of ridges in the Lunae Palus - Coprates region of Mars

By analogy with lunar mare ridges and from morphologic evidence, such as the smooth slopes of arches, the wrinkle ridges of the Tharsis region of Mars are interpreted to primarily result from compressional folding of the volcanic plains. Comparison of ridge orientations in the Lunae Palus and Coprates quadrangles to a Tharsis center indicates that more than 60% of the total length of ridges is orthogonal to a normal from this center. Graben trends in surrounding terrain indicate that nonorthogonal ridges are not significantly affected by regional scale structures. Comparison of orthogonal and nonorthogonal ridge frequencies suggests that loading due to the Tharsis plateau produced compressional features as far as 4000 km from the center of the load, and that additional compressional stress sources are needed to account for ridge systems at greater distances from the Tharsis plateau.

Maxwell, T. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Temporal changes in the Cerberus region of Mars - Mariner 9 and Viking comparisons

Mariner 9 images of the Cerberus dark region of Mars obtained in 1972 are compared with Viking Orbiter 1 images obtained in 1978 to investigate temporal changes in the appearance of the region. Changes in the outline of the albedo feature in the six years between observations are found which resulted in an increase in total area by about 1.2%, with a shift in the boundary of the southwestern region by as much as 90 km. Darkening of many areas of Cerberus is also observed, resulting in the development of a more uniform dark tone and accompanied by the disappearance of dark filamentary markings observed in 1972. Although neither streaks associated with craters and knobs are found to vary in mean length, a change in the mean orientation of bright streaks is observed. These changes are explained by eolian redistribution and the removal of bright material during major dust storms.

Chaikin, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Ridge systems of Caloris - Comparison with lunar basins

It has been found that the wrinkle ridge systems of the Caloris basin on Mercury display many of the traits which are characteristic of ridges in the mare-filled lunar multiring basins. The considered investigation is concerned with the ridge systems within the Caloris basin on Mercury, and implications for the origin of ridges within basins on both Mercury and the moon. The observed features are found to indicate that the early evolution of Caloris was similar to that of lunar mascon basins. The morphology of ridges within Caloris compares favorably with lunar ridges when viewed on similar resolution earth-based lunar photographs. Ridges in Caloris occur from 1000 to 1320 km diameter range, and are situated within the boundary delineated by topographic benches in the northeastern and southeastern parts of the basin. The orientation of Caloris ridges is more dominantly concentric than ridge orientations in lunar basins.

Maxwell, T. A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Geology of the lunar farside crater Necho

The ejecta morphology and distribution as well as the interior materials of the 30-km-diameter, Necho lunar crater is discussed and the effects of regional preimpact topography on the formation structure and modification of the crater are described. Three types of ejecta: hummocky, lineated, and smooth, that are concentrated in a band extending from the rim crest to a distance of less than one crater diameter are examined. The crater's interior, divided into floor units of textured, bubbled, and smooth material is analyzed and hypotheses of their origin are presented. The last area of study is the preimpact setting, characterized by a series of large, degraded, pre-Nectarian craters. Results showed that the Necho, in comparison with surrounding craters, was the freshest, insuring that the data from its excavation was preserved without a significant amount of degradation.

Gifford, A. W.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Stratigraphic correlation of the radar-detected subsurface interface in Mare Crisium

The delineation of spectrally distinct units in Mare Crisium allows a more complete interpretation of the single subsurface interface detected by the Apollo lunar sounder experiment. This interface is approximately 1400 m below the surface in the central mare region of Crisium, and 1000 m below the surface in the eastern bench region. Based on the power of the returned signal, and the small difference in dielectric constant of returned lunar basalts, it is probable that this interface represents a buried regolith between two major basin-filling episodes. The contact between spectral Units 1 and 2 is the most likely cause for the radar-reflecting interface. Based on this model, the thickness of Unit 3 is 400 m in the eartern part of the mare, and that of Unit 2 is 1000 m. Estimates of the original depth/diameter relations of Pierce are consistent with excavation of an older basalt from below a depth of 1400 m.

Maxwell, T. A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The nature of rays and sources of highland material in Mare Crisium

Although highland fragments are rare in the Luna 24 core, they should provide an important source of information on the sequence of formation and lithology of lunar east-limb basins. The numerous rays that cross the Crisium basin suggest several sources of highland materials. Both deposition of primary ejecta and reworking of local material were most likely responsible for the formation of ray systems in Mare Crisium. In addition to the fact that Luna 24 landed near the uprange end of a Giordano Bruno ray, incomplete sampling of the uppermost layer and formation of the ray by reworking of in situ regolith suggest that its materials may be scarce or not present in the core. Highland fragments present are most likely to be representative of several highland sources.

Maxwell, T. A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Origin of multi-ring basin ridge systems - An upper limit to elastic deformation based on a finite-element model

A finite-element model of a 500-km diameter lunar basin flooded with 10 km of basalt was used to represent the central portion of a multi-ring basin undergoing elastic deformation as a result of basin subsidence. Gravitational forces due to the weight of the basalt were set as the initial forces in the model; elastic constants computed from seismic velocities of lunar samples provided strength specifications. In addition, the crust was constrained by permitting no displacements at a depth of 60 km. Because of the strength of the lithosphere, surface subsidence amounted to only 20 m. This magnitude of elastic deformation does not equal that found on the lunar surface, but the orientation of principal stress and the position of circumferential compressional stress are compatible with the evolution of inner-ring and radial ridge systems by gravitational-induced downdropping.

Maxwell, T. A.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Stratigraphy and Tectonics of Southeastern Serenitatis

Results of investigations of returned Apollo 17 samples, and Apollo 15 and 17 photographs have provided a broad data base on which to interpret the southeastern Serenitatis region of the moon. Although many of the pre-Apollo 17 mission interpretations remain valid, detailed mapping of this region and correlation with earth-based and orbital remote-sensing data have resulted in a revision of the local mare stratigraphy.

Maxwell, T. A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Distribution, morphology, and origin of ridges and arches in Mare Serenitatis

Lunar mare ridges and arches in Mare Serenitatis were mapped to understand better their mode of formation. Maps of these features indicate that several pre-mare impacts in the Serenitatis area may be responsible for the localization of the circular ridge systems and that the subsurface, pre-mare topography is more complex than previously recognized. Apollo Lunar Sounder cross sections of ridge systems in southern Serenitatis indicate 50 to 100 m of local relief on these features. Small-scale features of ridges, such as medial lineations and lobate margins, do not conclusively define the origin of the ridges. However, estimates of crustal shortening from Lunar Sounder data and the coincidence of the major ridge system with the Serenitatis mascon suggest that ridges and arches were formed by gravitational readjustments of the mare fill along four probable impact structures and along a north-trending fracture pattern.

Maxwell, T. A.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Meteorite impact - A suggestion for the origin of some stream channels on Mars

The appearance of many streamlike features on Mars indicates the formation of channels through erosion by liquid water. We suggest that streams originating at meteorite crater boundaries are the result of impact which released subsurface water trapped below the Martian surface by a layer of permafrost. Features indicating surface erosion are the presence of alluvial plains at the downstream ends of channels, an increase in stream width with distance from the meteorite craters, and a direct correlation among several examples between crater diameter and stream length. Water released from the subsurface is preferred over rainfall as a mechanism for the origin of stream channels originating from craters on Mars.

Maxwell, T. A.↗