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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1987

Characteristic structures of the highland boundary on Mars: Evidence against a single mega-impact event?

It has been suggested that an early mega-impact event might explain the fumdamental crustal dichotomy on Mars. Detailed morphological mapping of the structures which characterize the boundary between the cratered highlands and northern plains does not support this idea: the distribution of these features along and especially away from the boundary is more consistent with a larger number of smaller but overlapping impacts. A data base was assembled for the study of the highland boundary through quantitative mapping (including crater counts) based on the 1:2 M controlled photomosaics. Whole and partial craters larger than 10 km in diameter, knobby terrain, detached plateaus and intervening plains-forming units have been identified wherever they occur on Mars between +65 and -45 deg latitude. There is evidence for occurrences of possible old cratered terrain (or its remanents) at high latitudes well north of the current or likely former location of the proposed Borealis Basin rim which are difficult to reconcile with an impact structure of the proposed size and location.

Semeniuk, Ann Marie↗
NASA NTRS1973

Mapping of the major structures of the African rift system using ERTS-1

The author has identified the following significant results. The structural margin of western Afar with the Ethiopian plateau is marked by a rather wide zone of crustal deformation. ERTS-1 imagery has now permitted a more precise mapping of the structures of this marginal zone, and in particular of the discontinuous marginal graben. The tectonic style of the graben is different in the north from the south, and in the latter region the graben is discordant with the regional tectonic trend. The structural margin of the southern Afar with the Somalian plateau is formed, in the western sector, by a remarkable series of fault-zone splays. Afar-plateau boundary fault-zones successively curve northeast and then NNE to become Afar floor fault-zones, with a distance of about 25 km separating successive turnoffs. The transition from Ethiopian rift to Gulf of Aden tread faulting along this margin is fascinatingly complex. A simplistic crustal thinning model is not adequate to explain all observed structural features of the Afar margins.

Mohr, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Lava thicknesses: Implications for rheological and crustal development

The morphology of a lava flow is strongly influenced by its rheological structure. The rheological structure is, in turn, dependent on numerous factors including: (1) bulk composition, (2) crystallingity, (3) vesicularity, and (4) crustal development. Identifying which of the latter factors are most significant, and hence most readily investigated by remote-sensing techniques, is necessary to clarify short-term objectives and expectations from the study of Martian lava flows. Insights into the rheological controls on flow morphology are provided by variations in thickness of undrained lava streams on Etna and Vesuvius, Southern Italy. Both pahoehoe and aa lavas were studied.

Kilburn, C. R. J.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Magmatic, hydrothermal and ore element transfer processes of the southeastern Archean Superior Province implied from electrical resistivity structure

Although magmatic- and metamorphic- derived fluids are widely recognized mineralizing agents, the role of crustal architecture in defining source and sink zones within the middle to lower crust and upper mantle of ancient orogens remains enigmatic. The globally largest and best-preserved Archean greenstone belts lie in the Superior Province, Canada. They provide an ideal location to investigate the influence of igneous construction and subsequent syn-deformational plutonism and metamorphism on the localization of metal-rich melts and fluids throughout the crustal column. Integration of three-dimensional magnetotelluric modelling and seismic reflection sections across the Abitibi subprovince reveals details of a 'whole-of-crust' magmatic and hydrothermal system. East-west low resistivity structures broadly underlie the surface traces of the major deformation zones that are host to significant gold endowment (>200 Moz), while mid-crustal cross trends suggest mineralized fluids flowed along 'pipes' within fault planes. Most low resistivity structures are inferred to represent domains containing interconnected zones of graphite and/or sulfide. Furthermore, these delineate relict mantle source/transit domains and crustal pathways enriched by the flow of magmas or metamorphic fluids genetically related to a late-stage pulse of ore-bearing magmatism, possibly as a result of slab break-off or delamination. Using the combined MT and seismic data, we develop a 3-D crustal-scale model which highlights how evolving orogenic architecture-controlled mass transfer and metallogenic processes developed.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2004

Contribution to the Study of Regional Magnetization of Satellite Magnetic Measurement: Magsat, Orsted, and Champ (with Gravity Field)

A discussion of and introduction to satellite-altitude geopotential field studies and their interpretation with emphasis on results from metalliferous regions will be given. The magnetic and gravimetric measurements from satellite altitudes show heterogeneity in deeper parts of the lithosphere. These patterns of magnetic anomalies do not only reveal the largest iron ore deposits such as Kiruna, Sweden, Kursk, Russia, and Banugi, Central African Republic but also linear features indicating structural discontinuities. Changes of magnetic amplitude of these patterns are caused by intersecting transverse fractures localizing magmatism and concentration of metals. In addition satellite altitude data are related to variations in crustal thickness and heat flow. Deep-rooted structural discontinuities, defined by combination of geological and geophysical criteria, with spacing of several hundred kilometers, reveal a quite uniform pattern in the deeper parts of the lithosphere. As these structures provide favorable pathways for the ascent of heat, magmas and ore-forming fluids, their recognition is of crucial importance and can be used in the compilation of a new type of mineral prognosis map. An example from Europe includes a pattern of east west trending structural discontinuities or belts and their junction with the NW-trending Tornqvist-Teisseyre Line. The Upper Silesian-Cracovian Zn-Pb district occurs along one of the latitudinal belts. Leslaw Teper of the University of Silesia has been invited to show the fractures in crystalline basement beneath the sediments hosting the Zn-Pb ores.

Taylor, Patrick T.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Report on Depth-Dependent Q from Frequency-Dependent Lg Q

As a phase that travels through the crustal waveguide, Lg samples the velocity and attenuation structure of the crust. We have developed methods (Pasyanos et al., 2009a; Pasyanos et al., 2009b) to estimate Qp and Qs of the crust and upper mantle from the amplitudes of regional phases, and have applied it to a number of regions around the world, and over a broad frequency band (0.5 - 10 Hz). In prior attenuation modeling, Lg phase amplitudes are able to effectively distinguish the high Q (low attenuation) of old stable cratonic crust from the low Q (high attenuation) of more recently active tectonic regions. For a variety of purposes (e.g. waveform modeling, seismic hazard, etc.), it is useful to have more information on the depth-dependence of the Q structure in the crust. One obvious candidate for doing this is using the frequency-dependence information of Lg Q, in the manner of surface waves. Unfortunately, however, Lg samples the whole of the crust without much differentiation with respect to frequency that is characteristic of fundamental mode surface waves. Lg is generally thought to be the sum of supercritically reflected S-waves trapped in the crustal waveguide (e.g. Xie and Lay, 1994). The phase can also be modeled as a superposition of surface waves. At lower frequencies, it is primarily composed of fundamental and low-order surface waves, while at higher frequencies, it is comprised purely of many high-order surface waves. The low-order surface waves that comprise Lg in low frequency bands (< 1 Hz) are preferentially sensitive to shallow earth structure, such as sedimentary basins and upper crust, while high-order surface waves have a more homogenized sensitivity to the whole crust. Furthermore, at the lower frequencies, we might expect to see some differentiation in the sensitivity between early Lg (herein referred to as Lg1) and late Lg (referred to as Lg2) where the latter is comprised of lower-order surface waves and, hence, shallower structure. Therefore, we might expect to see the signature of shallow features, primarily the lower Q of sediments as compared to crystalline crust, at lower frequencies and in later arriving Lg amplitudes.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1982

NASA geodynamics program

The goals of the NASA geodynamics program comprise the study of the interior structure and composition of the earth, its crustal motions and deformations, the rotational dynamics, and the terrestrial potential fields. Laser ranging an VLBI techniques are being applied in cooperation with 16 other countries. Reflectors on the moon are illumined with laser beams from earth, which are also bounced off the Lageos and French Starlette satellites, permitting monitoring of polar motion, earth rotation, and distance to the moon within 5 cm. Mobile laser systems are being deployed for developing a gravity field model and examining crustal deformation regionally. The VLBI installations use quasars as reference objects and the GPS satellites will give position accuracy within 1-2 cm. Satellite-to-satellite tracking, Magsat, and Shuttle timing experiment data are providing geopotential field data and timing synchronization.

Fischetti, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Is the Kapuskasing structure the site of a cryptic suture

The demonstration that the Kapuskasing structure involves substantial thrusting of deep continental crustal rocks over shallower continental rocks calls into question an earlier suggestion (by Wilson) that the Circum-Ungaua suture zone continued through the Kapuskasing to join the Penokean fold belt (implying that the Kapuskasing marked the site of what has since come to be called a cryptic suture). Problems are discussed which arose in attempting to reconcile Wilson's idea with data from more recent studies: whether the Kapuskasing and the Thompson belt both mark sutures of about 1700 Ma age; why there is no age difference across the Kapuskasing if it does mark the site of continental collision, and why there is no offset of Superior subprovinces across the Kapuskasing.

Burke, K.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Reduced to Pole Long-wavelength Magnetic Anomalies of Africa and Europe

To facilitate analysis of the tectonic framework for Africa, Europe and adjacent marine areas, MAGSAT scalar anomaly data are differentially reduced to the pole and compared to regional geologic information and geophysical data including surface free-air gravity anomaly data upward continued to satellite elevation (350 km) on a spherical Earth. Comparative analysis shows magnetic anomalies correspond with both ancient as well as more recent Cenozoic structural features. Anomalies associated with ancient structures are primarily caused by intra-crustal lithologic variations such as the crustal disturbance associated with the Bangui anomaly in west-central Africa. Anomalies correlative with Cenozoic tectonic elements appear to be related to Curie isotherm perturbations. A possible example of the latter is the well-defined trend of magnetic minima that characterize the Alpine orogenic belt from the Atlas mountains to Eurasia. In contrast, a well-defined magnetic satellite minimum extends across the stable craton from Finland to the Ural mountains. Prominent magnetic maxima characterize the Arabian plate, Iceland, the Kursk region of the central Russian uplift, and generally the Precambrian shields of Africa.

Hinze, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Reduced to pole long-wavelength magnetic anomalies of Africa and Europe

To facilitate analysis of the tectonic framework for Africa, Europe and adjacent marine areas, MAGSAT scalar anomaly data are differentially reduced to the pole and compared to regional geologic information and geophysical data including surface free-air gravity anomaly data upward continued to satellite elevation (350 km) on a spherical Earth. Comparative analysis shows magnetic anomalies correspond with both ancient as well as more recent Cenozoic structural features. Anomalies associated with ancient structures are primarily caused by intra-crustal lithologic variations such as the crustal disturbance associated with the Bangui anomaly in west-central Africa. Anomalies correlative with Cenozoic tectonic elements appear to be related to Curie isotherm perturbations. A possible example of the latter is the well-defined trend of magnetic minima that characterize the Alphine orogenic belt from the Atlas mountains to Eurasia. In contrast, a well-defined magnetic satellite minimum extends across the stable craton from Finland to the Ural mountains. Prominent magnetic maxima characterize the Arabian plate, Iceland, the Kursk region of the central Russian uplift, and generally the Precambrian shields of Africa.

Olivier, R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

PN velocity beneath Western New Mexico and Eastern Arizona

The experiment involved observing Pn arrivals on an areal array of 7 seismic stations located in the transition zone and along the Jemez lineament. Explosions in coal and copper mines in New Mexico and Arizona were used as energy sources as well as military detonations at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, Yuma, Arizona, and the Nevada Test Site. Very preliminary results suggest a Pn velocity of 7.94 km/s (with a fairly large uncertainty) beneath the study area. The Pn delay times, which can be converted to estimates of crustal thickness given knowledge of the velocity structure of the crust increase both to the north and east of Springerville, Arizona. As a constraint on the velocity of Pn, researchers analyzed the reversed refraction line GNOME-HARDHAT which passes through Springerville oriented NW to SE. This analysis resulted in a Pn velocity of 7.9-8.0 km/s for the transition zone. These preliminary results suggest that a normal Pn velocity might persist even though the crust thins (from north to south) by 15 km along the length of the Arizona-New Mexico border. If the upper mantle is currently hot anywhere in western New Mexico or eastern Arizona then the dimensions of the heat source (or sources) might be small compared to the intra-station distances of the seismic arrays used to estimate the velocity of Pn.

Jaksha, L. H.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Lithologic discrimination and alteration mapping from AVIRIS Data, Socorro, New Mexico

Geologic maps are, by their very nature, interpretive documents. In contrasts, images prepared from AVIRIS data can be used as uninterpreted, and thus unbiased, geologic maps. We are having significant success applying AVIRIS data in this non-quantitative manner to geologic problems. Much of our success has come from the power of the Linked Windows Interactive Data System. LinkWinds is a visual data analysis and exploration system under development at JPL which is designed to rapidly and interactively investigate large multivariate data sets. In this paper, we present information on the analysis technique, and preliminary results from research on potassium metasomatism, a distinctive and structurally significant type of alteration associated with crustal extension.

Beratan, K. K.↗
NASA NTRS2011

ARTEMIS Science Objectives

NASA's two spacecraft ARTEMIS mission will address both heliospheric and planetary research questions, first while in orbit about the Earth with the Moon and subsequently while in orbit about the Moon. Heliospheric topics include the structure of the Earth's magnetotail; reconnection, particle acceleration, and turbulence in the Earth's magnetosphere, at the bow shock, and in the solar wind; and the formation and structure of the lunar wake. Planetary topics include the lunar exosphere and its relationship to the composition of the lunar surface, the effects of electric fields on dust in the exosphere, internal structure of the Moon, and the lunar crustal magnetic field. This paper describes the expected contributions of ARTEMIS to these baseline scientific objectives.

Sibeck, D. G.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Lithologic Discrimination and Alteration Mapping from AVIRIS Data, Socorro, New Mexico

Geologic maps are, by their very nature, interpretive documents. In contrast, images prepared from AVIRIS data can be used as uninterpreted, and thus unbiased, geologic maps. We are having significant success applying AVIRIS data in this non-quantitative manner to geologic problems. Much of our success has come from the power of the Linked Windows Interactive Data System. LinkWinds is a visual data analysis and exploration system under development at JPL which is designed to rapidly and interactively investigate large multivariate data sets. In this paper, we present information on the analysis technique, and preliminary results from research on potassium metasomatism, a distinctive and structurally significant type of alteration associated with crustal extension.

Chapin, C. E.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Nd-isotopic evidence for the origin of the Sudbury complex by meteoritic impact

A Neodymium isotopic investigation was undertaken in order to determine the possibility that the Sudbury geological structure in Ontario, Canada was formed by meteoritic impact. Conclusive evidence points to the melting of crustal rocks by way of meteoritic impact in the forming of the Sudbury structure.

Faggart, B. E.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Cytherean crustal bending at Salme Dorsa

The Salme ridge belt can be interpreted as being the leading edge of a venusian crustal unit that moved against the highland foreland unit. It is indicative of a compressional zone, with a thrust front facing west. The Salme ridge belt with adjoining structures is an evident indication of lateral stresses and adjoining crustal movements on Venus. It supports the idea of southeast compression against and over the foreland planitia, which has bent under the load and/or lateral stress, resulting in trough and bulge formation in front of the ridge belt. The origin of the driving force for the movements remains masked. Laima Tessera is located in the direction from which the thrust is thought to apply but there are no appropriate candidates for a rift zone although a thrust from the southeast would be in good agreement with structures of Laima Tessera. The temperature gradient suggests that the lithosphere is approximately 12 km thick, while its elastic layer is approximately 3 km thick based either on the load-induced flexure model or on the compressional buckling model.

Raitala, J.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Mapping of the major structures of the African rift system

The author has identified the following significant results. ERTS-1 imagery of the African rift system resolves the major Cenozoic faults, zones of warping, and the associated volcanism. It also clearly depicts the crustal grain of the Precambrian rocks where these are exposed. New structural features, or new properties of known features such as greater extent, continuity, linearity, etc., are revealed by the ERTS-1 imagery. This applies to the NE-SW fracture zones in Yemen, the Aswa mylonite zone at the northern end of the Western Rift, the Nandi fault of western Kenya, the arcuate faults of the Elgeyo escarpment in the Gregory rift, and hemi-basins of warped Tertiary lavas on the Red Sea margin of Yemen, matching those of the Ethiopian plateau-Afar margin. A tentative scheme is proposed, relating the effect on the pattern of Cenozoic faulting of the degree of obliquity to Precambrian structural trend. Some ground-mapped lithological boundaries are obscure on ERTS-1 imagery. The present approaches to mapping of Precambrian terrain in Africa may require radical revision with the input of satellite imagery.

Mohr, P. A.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Monitoring Seasonal Shear Wave Velocity Changes in the Top 6 m at Garner Valley in Southern California With Borehole Data

Abstract Subsurface structures play important roles in seismic ground motion, crustal hydrology, stability of the built environment, and more. Constraining temporal changes of subsurface shear wave velocity ( V S ) can provide useful information to all these topics and the growing field of hydrological monitoring with seismic velocity. Using borehole records at Garner Valley, CA, we estimate seasonal subsurface V S variations from impulse response functions (IRFs) of earthquake data (2005–2018) along with IRFs and cross‐correlation of cross‐hole experiment data (2015–2018). The inferred V S variations are up to ∼25% in the top 6 m and ∼10% at 2–5 m in depth. The V S variations correlate strongly with the water table depth changes, suggesting that the changes are mostly due to fluctuations of pore pressure in the shallow material. The shallow velocity changes alter the near‐surface conditions, can affect seismic hazard estimation, and may be improperly attributed to deeper processes without careful analysis.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗