What is the theory on formation of this landform? |
What is the theory on formation of this landform? |
Feb 23 2011, 10:21 PM
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#1
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Junior Member Group: Members Posts: 91 Joined: 21-August 06 Member No.: 1063 |
Hi,
Can someone give me the current theory on how these landforms were made? I attached pic. They look like maybe carved out of ground rock from a side shooting lava blob but I dont know. These ones were found south of maxwell but I have seen them sometimes other spots. I might think they are splatters of hot rock that carved out of the flat local area but I am really guessing. Whats the official theory? thanks |
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Feb 23 2011, 11:14 PM
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#2
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Solar System Cartographer Group: Members Posts: 10121 Joined: 5-April 05 From: Canada Member No.: 227 |
One possibility: Not splatters of rock on the surface, but more likely lava flowing under a hardened crust - the flows cover the surface, they begin to cool and harden, and the lava continues to flow under its card crust. Then in some places as the lava drains out the crust collapses into the voids.
Another possibility - extensive lava flows. Then a system of parallel fractures form, possibly over dykes (volcanic intrusions, lava pushing into the fractures). As the fractures open or the lava drains away (suggesting flows downhill from here) the surface collapses into the open fractures, creating pits and chains of coalescing pits, very much like those seen around Alba Patera on Mars - which might be a Martian version of a Venusian corona. But it would be good to see more of the scene, to get geological context. These features are common on Venus, not just found here. Phil -------------------- ... because the Solar System ain't gonna map itself.
Also to be found posting similar content on https://mastodon.social/@PhilStooke NOTE: everything created by me which I post on UMSF is considered to be in the public domain (NOT CC, public domain) |
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