The Mountains of Titan, Recent article in Icarus Options

[Juramike]

Recently released article on RADAR interpretations of Titan's mountains.

"Mountains of Titan observed by Cassini Radar"

J. Radebaugh, R. Lorenz, R. Kirk, J. Lunine, E.R. Stofan, R. Lopes, S. Wall
Icarus (2007) doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2007.06.020

[Only accessible via Icarus website? I have no clue how to link to a free abstract. Sorry, y'all!]


This is the full paper following the 2006 LPS abstract (which is freely available):

Radebaugh et al LPS 37 (2006) Abstract 1007. “Mountains on Titan Observed by Cassini Radar”. Abstract freely available here.

-Mike

[Juramike]

The flanks of the T28 Tectonic Ridges do not show feeder streams. Why not?




The incised ridge tops of the T28 Tectonic Ridge provide evidence for severe erosion. In addition, the the lower valleys show broad and short stream basins. Yet we do not see any intermediate feeder channels. The lower streams resemble the pattern seen in saturated muds like in a slough.

Compare this with the Menrva crater rim, which is at the same latitude. The rim is deeply incised with stream patterns.

In the figure at right, the central dome of Menrva shows limited erosion. It seems that the central dome is more resistant to erosion than the rim.

Either the T28 ridges were covered in material after erosion had taken place, or the rain is able to rapidly percolate through the mantling organic material without causing erosion.

Since it is at the same latitude as the Menrva crater rim, it seems likely that the rain that carved the Menrva rim also fell on the T28 Tectonic Ridges. Thus it seems that the rain is able to percolate through the organic mantle, perhaps flowing as undermantle streams until it hits the valleys and has sufficient volume and flow to clear the valley streambeds of gook.

-Mike