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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2004

Lunar and Planetary Science XXXV: Mars Geophysics

The titles in this section include: 1) An Extraordinary Magnetic Field Map of Mars; 2) Mapping Weak Crustal Magnetic Fields on Mars with Electron Reflectometry; 3) Analytic Signal in the Interpretation of Mars Southern Highlands Magnetic Field; 4) Modeling of Major Martian Magnetic Anomalies: Further Evidence for Polar Reorientations During the Noachian; 5) An Improved Model of the Crustal Structure of Mars; 6) Geologic Evolution of the Martian Dichotomy and Plains Magnetization in the Ismenius Area of Mars; 7) Relaxation of the Martian Crustal Dichotomy Boundary in the Ismenius Region; 8) Localized Tharsis Loading on Mars: Testing the Membrane Surface Hypothesis; 9) Thermal Stresses and Tharsis Loading: Implications for Wrinkle Ridge Formation on Mars; 10) What Can be Learned about the Martian Lithosphere from Gravity and Topography Data? 11) A Gravity Analysis of the Subsurface Structure of the Utopia Impact Basin; 12) Mechanics of Utopia Basin on Mars; 13) Burying the 'Buried Channels' on Mars: An Alternative Explanation.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2020

Multimodal Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI) of Archean and Jurassic Geologic Samples

Current geochemical analytical techniques such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS and $G\acute{C}GC-MS$) can effectively determine the composition and structure of the organic biosignatures within a sample but cannot resolve the spatial distribution of organic biosignatures within rocks or sediments. The spatial distribution can be used to determine the character of the organic biosignatures [1], which can be indigenous (deposited with host rocks), non-indigenous (incorporated after deposition via fluid migration), or contaminant. Determining the character of organic biosignatures is critical for ancient samples [2] and will be critical if organics are observed in samples returned from Mars [3].Fs-LDPI-MS has the ability to map organic compounds across the surface of samples at 2 - 10 μm lateral resolution. Furthermore, fs-LDPI-MS can be used to carry out multiple analyses in the same location for micron-scale analysis of previously buried material [4]. We used fs-LDPI-MS to examine a ~164 million year old organic-rich mudstone from SW England (14.2 wt. % total organic carbon) [5] and determined the spatial distribution of likely indigenous components buried below potentially contaminated surface layers.We then used ToF-SIMS to re-analyze the mudstone to directly compare ToF-SIMS to fs-LDPI-MS datasets, and to analyze a series of ~2.7 billion year old geologic samples from Timmins, ON, CA [6]. Ref. [6] previously analyzed the Archean samples and observed a series of archaeal biomarkers, as well as hopanes and steranes. Using ToF-SIMS analysis, we were able to detect hopanes and steranes in the mudstone samples, but not in the Archean samples indicating that the hopanes and steranes are most likely contaminants in the Archean samples. We also did not observe the archaeal biomarkers; however, this may be from the lack of molecular ion preservation during ToF-SIMS.

Pasterski, Michael↗
NASA NTRS1986

Use of digital Munsell color space to assist interretation of imaging spectrometer data: Geologic examples from the northern Grapevine Mountains, California and Nevada

Techniques using Munsell color transformations were developed for reducing 128 channels (or less) of Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) data to a single color-composite-image suitable for both visual interpretation and digital analysis. Using AIS data acquired in 1984 and 1985, limestone and dolomite roof pendants and sericite-illite and other clay minerals related to alteration were mapped in a quartz monzonite stock in the northern Grapevine Mountains of California and Nevada. Field studies and laboratory spectral measurements verify the mineralogical distributions mapped from the AIS data.

Kruse, F. A.↗
NASA NTRS1969

Multispectral techniques for general geological surveys evaluation of a four-band photographic system

A general geological survey at 1:62,500 scale of the well exposed rocks of the White Mountains and the adjacent volcanic desert plateau is reported. The tuffs, granites, sedimentary rocks and metavolcanic rocks in this arid region are varicolored and conventional black and white aerial photographs have been a useful mapping aid. A large number of true color and false color aerial photographs and multispectral viewer screen images of the study area are evaluated in order to consider what imagery is the most useful for distinguishing rock types. Photographs of true color film are judged the most useful for recognizing geographic locations.

Crowder, D., F.↗
NASA NTRS1975

A global magnetic anomaly map

A subset of Pogo satellite magnetometer data has been formed that is suitable for analysis of crustal magnetic anomalies. Through the use of a thirteenth-order field model fit to these data, magnetic residuals have been calculated over the world to latitude limits of plus or minus 50 deg. These residuals, averaged over 1-degree latitude-longitude blocks, represent a detailed global magnetic anomaly map derived solely from satellite data. The occurrence of these anomalies on all individual satellite passes independent of local time and their decay as altitude increases imply a definite internal origin. Their wavelength structure and their correlation with known tectonic features further suggest that these anomalies are primarily of geologic origin and have their sources in the lithosphere.

Regan, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Remote sensing exploration for metallic mineral resources in central Baja California

Remote sensor data (primarily LANDSAT) was analyzed by photogeologic and computer-assisted enhancement techniques to evaluate the metallic mineral potential of Baja California. Overlays were prepared at 1:1,000,000 and 1:500,000 and included known geologic relationships and mineral occurrences, lineament, drainage and structural patterns, tonal anomalies, and enhancement results. Computer-assisted enhancement and classification of the test sites was performed using the IMAGE 100 system to identify subtle tonal anomalies thought related to mineralization using known sites as analysis guides. Mineral potential maps of Baja California were generated from these analyses and the ten highest priority targets visited. Preliminary assay results (atomic absorption analysis) for the samples recovered showed moderate to high geochemical anomalies for Copper (10 of 12 samples), Zinc (3 of 12 samples) and Lead (4 of 12 samples).

Baker, R. N.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Tectonic motion site survey of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Green Bank, West Virginia

A geological and geophysical site survey was made of the area around the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) to determine whether there are at present local tectonic movements that could introduce significant errors to Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) geodetic measurements. The site survey consisted of a literature search, photogeologic mapping with Landsat and Skylab photographs, a field reconnaissance, and installation of a seismometer at the NRAO. It is concluded that local tectonic movement will not contribute significantly to VLBI errors. It is recommended that similar site surveys be made of all locations used for VLBI or laser ranging.

Webster, W. J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Vegetation survey in Amazonia using LANDSAT data

Automatic Image-100 analysis of LANDSAT data was performed using the MAXVER classification algorithm. In the pilot area, four vegetation units were mapped automatically in addition to the areas occupied for agricultural activities. The Image-100 classified results together with a soil map and information from RADAR images, permitted the establishment of the final legend with six classes: semi-deciduous tropical forest; low land evergreen tropical forest; secondary vegetation; tropical forest of humid areas, predominant pastureland and flood plains. Two water types were identified based on their sediments indicating different geological and geomorphological aspects.

Parada, N. D. J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Wrinkle ridges on Venusian plains: Indicators of shallow crustal stress orientations at local and regional scales

The plains regions of Venus exhibit a complex array of structural features, including deformation belts of various types, wrinkle ridges, grabens, and enigmatic radar-bright linears. Probably the most pervasive of these structures are the wrinkle ridges, which appear to be morphologically identical to their counterparts on the Moon and Mars. Almost all workers agree that wrinkle ridges result from horizontal compressive stresses in the crust; they either are explained as flexural fold structures, or alternatively as scarps or folds related to reverse faults. Wrinkle ridges generally are narrow, have small amplitudes, and commonly are closely spaced as well, characteristics that imply a shallow crustal origin. If wrinkle ridges are due to horizontally directed compressive stresses in the shallow crust, as generally has been inferred, then the trends of these features provide a means to map both local and regional orientations of principal stresses in the uppermost part of the venusian crust: maximum compressive stress is normal to the ridges, minimum compressive stress is normal to the topographic surface, and thus the wrinkle ridge trends trace the orientation of the intermediate principal stress. Because there are few plains areas on Venus totally devoid of wrinkle ridges, it should be possible to establish a number of interesting relationships on a near-global scale by mapping the trends of wrinkle ridges wherever they occur. The present study is addressing three questions: (1) Do the trends of wrinkle ridges define domains that are large relative to the sizes of individual plains regions? If so, can these domains be related to large-scale topographic or geologic features? (2) Are regional trends of wrinkle ridges affected by local features such as coronae? If so, is it possible to determine the relative ages of the far-field and local stresses from detailed study of trend inheritance or superposition relationships? (3) What is the relationship between wrinkle ridges and the larger ridges that make up ridge belts?

Mcgill, George E.↗
NASA NTRS2004

The Precession Index and a Nonlinear Energy Balance Climate Model

A simple nonlinear energy balance climate model yields a precession index-like term in the temperature. Despite its importance in the geologic record, the precession index e sin (Omega)S, where e is the Earth's orbital eccentricity and (Omega)S is the Sun's perigee in the geocentric frame, is not present in the insolation at the top of the atmosphere. Hence there is no one-for-one mapping of 23,000 and 19,000 year periodicities from the insolation to the paleoclimate record; a nonlinear climate model is needed to produce these long periods. A nonlinear energy balance climate model with radiative terms of form T n, where T is surface temperature and n less than 1, does produce e sin (omega)S terms in temperature; the e sin (omega)S terms are called Seversmith psychroterms. Without feedback mechanisms, the model achieves extreme values of 0.64 K at the maximum orbital eccentricity of 0.06, cooling one hemisphere while simultaneously warming the other; the hemisphere over which perihelion occurs is the cooler. In other words, the nonlinear energy balance model produces long-term cooling in the northern hemisphere when the Sun's perihelion is near northern summer solstice and long-term warming in the northern hemisphere when the aphelion is near northern summer solstice. (This behavior is similar to the inertialess gray body which radiates like T 4, but the amplitude is much lower for the energy balance model because of its thermal inertia.) This seemingly paradoxical behavior works against the standard Milankovitch model, which requires cool northern summers (Sun far from Earth in northern summer) to build up northern ice sheets, so that if the standard model is correct it must be more efficient than previously thought. Alternatively, the new mechanism could possibly be dominant and indicate southern hemisphere control of the northern ice sheets, wherein the southern oceans undergo a long-term cooling when the Sun is far from the Earth during northern summer. The cold water eventually flows north, cooling the northern hemisphere. This might explain why the northern oceans lag the southern ones when it comes to orbital forcing.

Rubincam, David↗
NASA NTRS1981

Planetary geological studies

A global data base was assembled for the study of Mars crater ejecta morphology. The craters were classified as to morhology using individual photographic prints of Viking orbiter frames. Positional and scale information were derived by fitting digitized mosaic coordinates to lattitude-longitude coordinates of surface features from the Mars geodetic control net and feature coordinates from the U.S.G.S. series of 1:5,00,000 scale shaded relief maps. Crater morphology characteristics recorded are of two classes - attributes of each ejecta deposit and other crater charactersitics. Preliminary efforts to check the data base with findings of other workers are described.

Blasius, K. R.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The geology and morphology of Ina

The lunar feature Ina, an unusual D-shaped depression, is located in Lacus Felicitatis north of Mare Vaporum. Attention was drawn to the feature because of its strange 'blistered' appearance. Using detailed topographic data available from the Lunar Topographic Orthophotomap (LTO) series, it is now possible to depict the morphology and structure of Ina and the surrounding region more accurately than was previously feasible. The maps employed in the study are 41C3 and 41C4 at 1:250,000 scale, and 41C3S1 (Ina) at 1:10,000 scale. Attention is given to the regional setting, and the morphologic characteristics and origins of features. It is concluded that Ina is an apparently unique volcanic feature. It rests on a dome displaying evidence of episodic extrusive activity. Its odd D-shape is probably related to a local fracture pattern, since the straight edge is aligned with other small lineaments in the area. Ina's floor exhibits several volcanic units.

Strain, P. L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Neogene Caribbean plate rotation and associated Central American tectonic evolution

A theoretical model of the opening of the Cayman Trough is developed on the basis of geological evidence from a wide area. It is proposed that strike slip motion began about 30 Myr ago and proceeded at a rate of 37 + or - 6 mm/yr for a total of 1100 km of relative plate displacement, and that Central America Underwent an anticlockwise rotation with internal plate deformation. Maps of the reconstructed motion are provided.

Wadge, G.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Abiotic Earth - Establishing a Baseline for Earliest Life, Data from the Archean of Western Australia

Stromatolitic structures preserved at two stratigraphic levels within the 3.47-3.43 Ga Warrawoona Group of Western Australia have been interpreted as some of "the least controversial evidence of early life on earth" and "the oldest firmly established biogenic deposits now known from the geologic record". The structures were said to have formed in a shallow sub-tidal to intertidal setting as part of an evaporite succession. In an extensive field program we have re-evaluated exposures of the Strelley Pool Chert from which stromatolites have been described and carried out detailed mapping and sampling of the Strelley Pool West site 13.7 km west of the type locality. Data from our ongoing program cast considerable doubt on the biogenic origins of the stromatolitic structures and on the nature of their depositional setting.

Lindsay, J. F.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Facile Metal Release from Pore-Lining Phases Enables Unique Carbonate Zonation in a Basalt Carbon Mineralization Demonstration

Carbon-negative strategies such as geologic carbon sequestration in continental flood basalts offers a promising route to the removal of greenhouse gases, such as CO 2 , via safe and permanent storage as stable carbonates. This potential has been successfully demonstrated at a field scale at the Wallula Basalt Carbon Storage Pilot Project where supercritical CO 2 was injected into the Columbia River Basalt Group (CRBG). Here, we analyze recovered post-injection sidewall core cross-sections containing carbonate nodules using μ-XRF chemical mapping techniques that revealed compositional zonation within the nodules. The unique nature of the subsurface anthropogenic carbonates is highlighted by the near absence of Mg in an ankerite-like composition. Furthermore, a comparison between pre- and post-injection sidewall cores along with an in-depth chemical mapping of basalt pore lining cements provides a better understanding into the source and fate of critical cationic species involved in the precipitation of carbon mineralization products. Collectively, these results provide crucial insights into carbonate growth mechanisms under a time-dependent pore fluid composition. Finally, as such, these findings will enable parameterization of predictive models for future CO 2 sequestration efforts in reactive reservoirs around the world.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

A Geo-Data Science Method for Assessing Unconventional Rare-Earth Element Resources in Sedimentary Systems

Abstract Rare-earth elements (REEs) supply raw materials that constitute many of our modern critical infrastructure, defense, technology, and electrification needs. Despite REE accumulations occurring in conventional bedrock and ion-adsorption deposits sourced from weathering of igneous rocks, unconventional host materials such as coal and related sedimentary strata have been identified as promising sources of REEs to meet growing demand. To maximize the potential of unconventional resources such as REE-coal systems, new approaches are needed overcome challenges from mineral systems with no known deposits and areas with sparse geochemical data. This article presents a systematic knowledge-data resource assessment method for predicting and identifying REE resource potential and occurrence in these unconventional systems. The method utilizes a geologic and geospatial knowledge-data approach informed and guided by REE accumulation mechanisms to systematically assess and identify areas of higher enrichment. An assessment of the Powder River Basin is presented as a test case to demonstrate the method workflow and results. The key output is a potential enrichment score map reported with varying confidence levels based on the amount of supporting evidence. Results from the test case indicate several locations with promising potential for different types of coal-REE deposits, demonstrating the viability of the method for exploration and assessment of unconventional REE resources. The method is flexible by design and, with sufficient applicable knowledge and data, can be adapted for assessing critical mineral systems in other sedimentary systems as well.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1975

Regional tectonic evaluation of the Tuscan Apenine, vulcanism, thermal anomalies and the relation to structural units

The author has identified the following significant results. The geological interpretation on data exhibiting the Italian peninsula led to the recognition of tectonic features which are explained by a clockwise rotation of various blocks along left-handed transform faults. These faults can be interpreted as resulting from shear due to main stress directed north-eastwards. A land use map of the mountainous regions of Italy was produced on a scale of 1:250,000. For the digital treatment of MSS-CCTs an image processing software was written in FORTRAN 4. The software package includes descriptive statistics and also classification algorithms.

Bodechtel, J.↗