Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “2) Tectonics”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Polyphase thrust tectonic in the Barberton greenstone belt

In the circa 3.5 by-old Barberton greenstone belt, the supracrustal rocks form a thick and strongly deformed thrust complex. Structural studies in the southern part of the belt have shown that 2 separate phases of over-thrusting (D sub 1 and D sub 2) successively dismembered the original stratigraphy. Thrust nappes were subsequently refolded during later deformations (D sub 3 and D sub 4). This report deals with the second thrusting event which, in the study region appears to be dominant, and (unlike the earlier thrusting), affects the entire supracrustal pile. The supracrustal rocks form a predominantly NE/SW oriented, SE dipping tectonic fan (the D sub 2 fan) in which tectonic slices of ophiolitic-like rocks are interleaved with younger sedimentary sequences of the Diepgezet and malalotcha groups. Structural and sedimentological data indicate that the D sub 2 tectonic fan was formed during a prolonged, multi-stage regional horizontal shortening event during which several types of internal deformation mechanisms were successively and/or simultaneously active. Movement appears to have been predominantly to the NW and to the N. During D sub 2, periods of quiescence and sedimentation followed periods of thrust propagation. Although the exact kinematics which led to the formation of this fan is not yet known, paleoenvironmental interpretations together with structural data suggest that D sub 2 was probably related to (an) Archean collision(s).

Paris, I. A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Granulites: Melts and fluids in the deep crust

Known examples of granulite facies metamorphism span at least 3.5 by. of Earth history. Mineralogic geobarometry indicates that such metamorphism has occurred in the deep crust, typically at 20 to 30 km (6 to 9 kbar). Geothermometry indicates that peak T = 700 to 900 C and therefore that T was elevated by at least 200 C over an anorgenic geotherm of 15 to 20 C/km. Commonly invoked sources of heat include rising magmas, radioactive decay insulated by continent/continent collision, mantle volatiles, or crustal thinning. Present day crustal thicknesses are normal beneath exposed granulite terranes and the common absence of evidence for post-metamorphic underplating suggests synmetamorphic thicknesses of 60 to 80 km. Thus granulites form in tectonically active regions of thickened crust and elevated geotherm. Xenolith suites suggest that granulite facies mineralogy persists in the deepest crust after tectonism in spite of declining temperature to greenschist/amphibolite facies conditions. The relative proportions of granulite terranes that are formed by Adirondack-type metamorphism dominantly magmatic/fluid-absent), India-type metamorphism (CO2 saturated), or some combination of 1 and 2 remains an important tectonic question.

Valley, John W.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Impact origin of the Sudbury structure: Evolution of a theory

This paper reviews the origin, development, and present status of the widely accepted theory, proposed by Robert S. Dietz in 1962, that the Sudbury structure was formed by meteoritic or asteroidal impact. The impact theory for the origin of the Sudbury structure seems supported by a nearly conclusive body of evidence. However, even assuming an impact origin to be correct, at least three major questions require further study: (1) the original size and shape of the crater, before tectonic deformation and erosion; (2) the source of the melt now forming the Sudbury Igneous Complex; and (3) the degree, if any, to which the Ni-Cu-platinum group elements are meteoritic. The history of the impact theory illustrates several under-appreciated aspects of scientific research: (1) the importance of cross-fertilization between space research and terrestrial geology; (2) the role of the outsider in stimulating thinking by insiders; (3) the value of small science, at least in the initial stages of an investigation, Dietz's first field work having been at his own expense; and (4) the value of analogies (here, between the Sudbury Igneous Complex and the maria), which although incorrect in major aspects, may trigger research on totally new lines. Finally, the Sudbury story illustrates the totally unpredictable and, by implication, unplannable nature of basic research, in that insight to the origin of the world's then-greatest Ni deposit came from the study of tektites and the Moon.

Lowman, Paul D., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Volcanism and Volatile Recycling on Venus from Lithospheric Delamination

Venus has an unmoving lithosphere, a young surface indicative of volcanic resurfacing, and a wide variety of volcanic and tectonic features. The planet s ubiquitous magmatic features include 100,000 small shield volcanoes as well as the descriptively named pancakes, ticks, and arachnoids [1]. Coronae, volcanic and tectonic features up to 2,600 km in diameter, have been attributed to lithospheric interactions with upwelling plumes [e.g., 2], but more recently to delamination of the lower lithosphere with [3] or without [4] a central upwelling. Lavas issuing from different volcanic features appear to have a range of compositions, as evidenced by their apparent viscosities and by data from Soviet landers. Steep-sided or "pancake" domes [e.g., 5] appear to consist of more viscous magma [6], perhaps silicic compositions created by remelting basaltic crust [7]. These steep-sided domes are associated with coronae and with shield volcanoes effusing basaltic magmas [7,8] with apparently low viscosities (low enough to allow fluid flow for hundreds of km, creating channels reminiscent of water rivers on Earth). Pancake domes, in contrast, can be up to 3 km in height and have volumes from 30 to approx.3,000 km3 [calculated from data in 8], and hundreds dot the planet [6-8].

Elkins-Tanton, L. T.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A study of tectonic activity in the Basin-Range Province and on the San Andreas Fault. No. 2: Lithospheric structure, seismicity, and contemporary deformation of the United States Cordillera

The structural evolution of the U.S. Cordillera has been influenced by a variety of tectonic mechanisms including passive margin rifting and sedimentation; arc volcanism; accretion of exotic terranes; intraplate magmatism; and folding and faulting associated with compression and extension processes that have profoundly influenced the lithospheric structure. As a result the Cordilleran crust is laterally inhomogeneous across its 2000 km east-west breadth. It is thin along the West Coast where it has close oceanic affinities. The crust thickens eastward beneath the Sierra Nevada, then thins beneath the Basin-Range. Crustal thickening continues eastward beneath the Colorado Plateau, the Rocky Mountains, and the Great Plains. The total lithospheric thickness attains 65 km in the Basin-Range and increases eastward beneath the Colorado Plateau. The upper-crust, including the crystalline basement of the Cordillera, has P sub G velocities of 6 km/s in the Basin-Range and Rio Grande Rift. Lower P sub G velocities of 5.4 to 5.7 km/s are associated with the youthful Yellowstone, Valles and Long Valley calderas and the Franciscan assemblage of the western coastal margin. Averaged crustal velocity reflects integrated tectonic evolution of the crust-thick silicic bodies, velocity reversals, and a thin crust produce low averaged velocities that are characteristic of a highly attenuated and thermally deformed crust.

Smith, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Tectonic evolution of the Archaean high-grade terrain of South India

The southern Indian shield consists of three major tectonic provinces viz., (1) Dharwar Craton, (2) Eastern Ghat Mobile Belt, and (3) Pandyan Mobile Belt. An understanding of their mutual relations is crucial for formulating crustal evolution models. The tectonic evolution of these provinces is summarized.

Ramakrishnan, M.↗
NASA NTRS1997

The Tectonics and Evolution of Venus

This shift corresponded to a focusing of research on Venus. Some work included comparison with other planets. Venus research is being continued. The research can be summarized under five headings: (1) Planet formation; (2) Thermal and Compositional Evolution; (3) Tectonic structures and processes; (4) Determination and interpretation of gravity; and (5) Analyses of Ishtar Terra. Thirty-four publications were produced. References to publications supporting the summary are by year and letter: e.g., (1990 c,d) for the emphasis on the terminal phases in formation studies.

Kaula, William M.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Dynamic techniques for studies of secular variations in position from ranging to satellites

Satellite laser range measurements were applied to the study of latitude variation arising from polar motion, and the solid-earth and ocean tidal distortion of the earth's gravity field. Experiments involving two laser tracking stations were conducted. The relative location of one station with respect to the other was determined by performing simultaneous range measurements to a satellite from two stations several hundred kilometers apart. The application of this technique to the San Andreas Fault Experiment in California is discussed. Future capabilities of spacecraft equipped with laser retroreflectors include: (1) determination of the product of the earth's mass and gravitational constant; (2) measurement of crustal and tectonic motions; (3) determination of the elastic response of the solid-earth tidal forces; (4) measurement of the amplitudes and phase of certain components of the ocean tides; and (5) self-monitoring of the latitude and height variations of the tracking station.

Smith, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS2009

New Geologic Map of the Scandia Region of Mars

We have begun work on a sophisti-cated digital geologic map of the Scandia region (Fig. 1) at 1:3,000,000 scale based on post-Viking image and to-pographic datasets. Through application of GIS tools, we will produce a map product that will consist of (1) a printed photogeologic map displaying geologic units and relevant modificational landforms produced by tectonism, erosion, and collapse/mass wasting; (2) a landform geoda-tabase including sublayers of key landform types, attributed with direct measurements of their planform and to-pography using Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) altimetry data and High-Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) digital elevation models (DEMs) and various image datasets; and (3) a series of digital, reconstructed paleostratigraphic and paleotopographic maps showing the inferred distribution and topographic form of materi-als and features during past ages

Tanaka, K. L.↗
NASA NTRS1993

The formation and evolution of Alpha and Tellus tesserae on Venus

Although tesserae comprise at approximately 10 percent of the surface of Venus, the nature of their formation and evolution is not well understood. One important clue to elucidate this problem is tessera boundaries which are of two types: type 1 are generally embayed by plains; type 2 boundaries are characterized by being linear at the hundred kilometer scale and often associated with steep scarps or tectonic features. Previous study of a distinctive type 2 boundary at Alpha Regio was pursued in order to characterize and assess the implications for this style in general. A model of gravitational relaxation of the tessera block was presented to explain the specific style of type 2 feature seen at western Alpha; however, this model cannot account for the full range of interior structures of Alpha, namely widespread compressional features overprinted by extensional features and volcanism. In order to explain the features of Alpha, we have considered a three-stage model involving (1) mantle downwelling and compression of the lithosphere, (2) delamination of the thickened tessera root, and (3) gravitational relaxation and extension of the tessera plateau. We compare this to the characteristics of Tellus Regio in order to test its broader application.

Gilmore, M. S.↗
NASA NTRS1999

A Digital Tectonic Activity Map of the Earth

The subject of neotectonics, covering the structures and structural activity of the last 5 million years (i.e., post-Miocene) is a well-recognized field, including "active tectonics," focussed on the last 500,000 years in a 1986 National Research Council report of that title. However, there is a cartographic gap between tectonic maps, generally showing all features regardless of age, and maps of current seismic or volcanic activity. We have compiled a map intended to bridge this gap, using modern data bases and computer-aided cartographic techniques. The maps presented here are conceptually descended from an earlier map showing tectonic and volcanic activity of the last one million years. Drawn by hand with the National Geographic Society's 1975 "The Physical World" map as a base, the 1981 map in various revisions has been widely reproduced in textbooks and various technical publications. However, two decades of progress call for a completely new map that can take advantage of new knowledge and cartographic techniques. The digital tectonic activity map (DTM), presented in shaded relief (Fig. 1) and schematic (Fig. 2) versions, is the result. The DTM is intended to show tectonism and volcanism of the last one million years, a period long enough to be representative of global activity, but short enough that features such as fault scarps and volcanos are still geomorphically recognizable. Data Sources and Cartographic Methods The DTM is based on a wide range of sources, summarized in Table 1. The most important is the digital elevation model, used to construct a shaded relief map. The bathymetry is largely from satellite altimetry, specifically the marine gravity compilations by Smith and Sandwell (1996). The shaded relief map was designed to match the new National Geographic Society world physical map (1992), although drawn independently, from the digital elevation model. The Robinson Projection is used instead of the earlier Van der Grinten one. Although neither conformal nor equal-area, the Robinson Projection provides a reasonable compromise and retains useful detail at high latitudes.

Lowman, Paul↗
NASA NTRS1981

Papers presented to the Conference on the Processes of Planetary Rifting

The basic problems of processes of planetary rifting are addressed from the following viewpoints: (1) speculation as to the origin and development of rifts; (2) rifts on other planets; (3) tectonics; (4) geology; (5) chemistry of the lithosphere; (6) physics of the lithosphere; and (7) resources associated with rifting. The state of ignorance on the subject and its remedy is debated.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1985

Lunar and Martian impact basins: Exposed records of terrestrial bombardment?

The unrecycled surfaces of the Moon, Mercury, and Mars preserve the very early history of impact bombardment and its effect on crustal evolution. Previous studies indicated that the post accretion impact flux by large bodies on Mars may have been dificient, but systematic studies recently have revealed that this deficiency is largely the result of active erosional and depositional processes during the first 0.8 by. Ancient Martian impact basins larger than 300 km in diameter are revealed by subtle but unequivocal topographic and structural control of drainage patterns. In addition, the largest basins have left a deep seated imprint of concentric and radial structural patterns that control the occurrence of most Martian volcanic and tectonic provinces. If 10(-6)/km(2) is considered to be a reasonable approximation for the density of impact basins ( 300 km) of the Moon and Mars, then the Earth should have recorded more than 500 impacts that resulted in basins larger than 300 km in diameter over its post accretion geologic history. If calibrated with the Moon, then most of these impacts occurred prior to 3.8 by.

Schultz, P. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Physical characteristics and evolutionary trends of continental rifts

Rifts may be defined as zones beneath which the entire lithosphere has ruptured in extension. They are widespread and occur in a variety of tectonic settings, and range up to 2,600 m.y. in age. The object of this review is to highlight characteristic features of modern and ancient rifts, to emphasize differences and similarities in order to help characterize evolutionary trends, to identify physical conditions favorable for initiation as well as termination of rifting, and to provide constraints for future modeling studies of rifting. Rifts are characterized on the basis of their structural, geomorphic, magmatic and geophysical features and the diverse character of these features and their evolutionary trends through time are discussed. Mechanisms of rifting are critically examined in terms of the physical characteristics and evolutionary trends of rifts, and it is concluded that while simple models can give valuable insight into specific processes of rifting, individual rifts can rarely, if ever, be characterized by well defined trends predicted by these models. More data are required to clearly define evolutionary trends, and the models require development to incorporate the effects of lithospheric heterogeneities and complex geologic histories.

Ramberg, I. B.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Planetary geomorphology research: FY 1990-1991

Progress in the following research areas is discussed: (1) volatile ice sublimation in a simulated Martian polar environment; (2) a global synthesis of Venusian tectonics; (3) a summary of nearly a decade of field studies of eolian processes in cold volcanic deserts; and (4) a model for interpretation of Martian sediment distribution using Viking observations. Some conclusions from the research are presented.

Malin, M. C.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Application of High Resolution Topography and Remote Sensing: Imagery to the Kinematics of Fold-and-Thrust Belts

This report summarizes one year of funding for NASA contract NAGW-3691, Application of High Resolution Topography and Remote Sensing: Imagery to the Kinematics of Fold-and-Thrust Belts. I never received year three from NASA. The funds were to support on going tectonic and topographic studies along the front of the central Transverse Ranges and expand the topographic studies to the north. Below are results from the first two years of actual funds that I received from NASA (see attached Federal Cash Transaction Reports). The main focus of this contract was to define and understand the major tectonic processes affecting the formation and evolution of the topography in convergent tectonic settings. The results will be used to test ongoing space-based geodetic measurements and will be compared with present-day seismicity in the central Transverse Ranges and adjacent basins. Two major factors that controls topography in active regions are (1) tectonic uplift due to fault-normal compression and (2) subsequent erosion. The central Transverse and Temblor Ranges are excellent regions for these focused topographic studies. The tectonic processes leading to the mountain building are relatively straightforward and thus are easy to model. Available evidence suggests that the topography in this region is relatively young, - 3.5 Ma or less. In addition,, erosional processes may be relatively easier to model compared to larger and more ancient mountain belts. For example, in larger mountain belts, topographic relief may cause significant orographic effects and high elevation may result in part of the topography located above snowline. Both factors complicate interpretation of erosional processes that may be controlled by elevation. Mountain ranges that are significantly older may have experienced a much wider variety of erosional or climatic conditions over their lifetime. While erosion rates have certainly not been consistent in the Transverse or Temblor ranges over its 3.5 Ma lifetime, we are sure that the region was spared the Pleistocene glaciation that affected parts of the Sierra Nevada Range.

Rubin, Charles↗
NASA NTRS1986

Geochemical characters and tectonic evolution of the Chitradurga schist belt: An Archaean suture (?) of the Dharwar Craton, India

The Chitradurga schist belt extending for about 450 km in a NS direction and 2-50 km across, is one of the most prominent Archean (2.6 b.y.) tectonic features of the Indian Precambrian terrain, comprising about 2 to 10 km thick sequence of volcano sedimentary rocks. The basal unit of this belt is composed of an orthoquartzite-carbonate facies, unlike many other contemporary greentone belts of the Gondwana land which begin with a basal mafic-ultramafic sequence. Eighty percent of the belt is made up of detrital and chemogenic sediments, their succession commencing with a poorly preserved quartz pebble basal conglomerate and current bedded quartzites which, in turn, rest on tonalitic gneisses, the latter having been further remobilized with along the schist belt. Deposition of current bedded matue arenites indicte the existence of platformal conditions near the shore line. Polymictic graywacke conglomerates, graywackes, shales, phyllites, carbonates, BIFs (oxide, carbonate and sulfide) BMF's (Banded Maganese Formations) and cherts thus constitute the main sedimentary rocks of the belt. The polymicitic conglomerates contain debris of rocks of older greenstone sequences, as well as an abundant measure of folded quartzites, BIF's and gneissic fragments which represent earlier orogenies.

Naqvi, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Mariner 10 data analysis. 1: Scarps, ridges, troughs, and other lineaments on Mercury. 2: Geologic significance of photometric variations on Mercury

Volcanic and tectonic implications of the surface morphology of Mercury are discussed. Mercurian scarps, ridges, troughs, and other lineaments are described and classified as planimetrically linear, arcuate, lobate, or irregular. A global pattern of lineaments is interpreted to reflect modification of linear crustal joints formed in response to stresses induced by tidal spindown. Large arcuate scarps on Mercury most likely record a period of compressional tectonism near the end of heavy bombardment. Shrinkage owing to planetary cooling is the mechanism preferred for their production. Measurements of local normal albedo are combined with computer-generated photometric maps of Mercury to provide constraints on the nature of surface materials and processes. If the mercurian surface obeys the average lunar photometric function, its normal albedo at 554 nm is .16 + or - .03.

Dzurisin, D.↗