Origin and evolution of the outflow channels on Mars using HRSC 3-D imaging
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Geomatic Engineering
Abstract
Giant erosional valleys on the surface of Mars, termed outflow channels, are testament to massive amounts of erosion of the Martian crust. These valleys are widely believed to have been carved by the catastrophic release of groundwater, which initiated cataclysmic floods that caused large-scale erosion. The morphology of these valleys can be used to infer constraints on the depth of floodwaters, water flow velocities and discharges. However, deriving these values requires detailed topographic data. We aim to map the morphology of the outflow channels using stereo camera (HRSC) Mars Express imagery and derived 3D information. We will look for evidence of flood stage indicators in the Martian landscape, so that we can accurately determine the heights that flood event/s attained. To do this we will use photointerpretation and geological mapping, based on automated topographical measurements, morphometric analysis and remote age determination, to produce a geological and hydrological history of key examples of outflow channels. Three dimensional models of the Martian surface will be automatically derived from the HRSC images, using a refinement of existing stereo processing software systems. These 3D models and the associated images, co-registered with data from previous US missions, will be used to map and quantify geomorphic features associated with the outflow channels. Automated crater detection algorithms (developed under existing PPARC support) will be applied to derive ages of surface units and constrain a time-stratigraphic sequence of climatic and geological events. We will use these results to compute estimates of flow velocities and water discharges associated with flood events. This information will provide important clues to understanding the evolution of water on Mars and has implications for discovering the presence or past presence of alien life. This work will form part of the scientific output from the High Resolution Stereo Camera operations phase of the ESA Mars Express mission.
Publications
Balme M
(2010)
Lakes on Mars
Balme M
(2009)
Sorted stone circles in Elysium Planitia, Mars: Implications for recent martian climate
in Icarus
Barnes R
(2018)
Geological Analysis of Martian Rover-Derived Digital Outcrop Models Using the 3-D Visualization Tool, Planetary Robotics 3-D Viewer-PRo3D
in Earth and Space Science
Bridges JC
(2017)
Identification of the Beagle 2 lander on Mars.
in Royal Society open science
Campbell J
(2016)
IR SPECTRAL MAPPING OF THE MARTIAN SOUTH POLAR RESIDUAL CAP USING CRISM
in ISPRS - International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences
Harrison S
(2010)
Mapping Medusae Fossae Formation materials in the southern highlands of Mars
in Icarus
Harrison S
(2013)
A branching, positive relief network in the middle member of the Medusae Fossae Formation, equatorial Mars-Evidence for sapping?
in Planetary and Space Science
Jaumann R
(2015)
Quantifying geological processes on Mars-Results of the high resolution stereo camera (HRSC) on Mars express
in Planetary and Space Science
Kim J
(2009)
Multi-resolution topographic data extraction from Martian stereo imagery
in Planetary and Space Science
Kim J
(2013)
Multi-resolution digital terrain models and their potential for Mars landing site assessments
in Planetary and Space Science
Description | Discovered a fossilized frozen sea ice pack as the grant started and reported in Nature. Produced a 3d terrain model mosaic of the entire region within the area of the Elysium sea where Platy surface features were observed (sea-ice). Discovered various other permafrost phenomena, such as stone circles. Continued debate with US colleagues who do not accept the frozen sea hypothesis. subsequently in an UKSA Aurora project developed a new method for generating HRSC DTMs and correcting them using a global laser altimetry reference model form the MGS-MOLA instrument. |
Exploitation Route | A systematic study using DTMs now employed for selecting ExoMars landing sites. New HRSC 3D modelling system used to create a 3D model of the whole of the Valles Marineris complex. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Construction Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Education Environment Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Culture Heritage Museums and Collections Security and Diplomacy |
URL | http://iris.ucl.ac.uk/iris/browse/profile?upi=JPALM41 |
Description | Stereo 3d employed for a variety of different industrial applications including (1) inspection of process control furnaces during operation; (2) automated detection of cracks in molten steel on a rolling mill; (3) autonomous navigation. |
First Year Of Impact | 2012 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | Aurora RA: Understanding the role of liquids in the formation of RSLs and slope streaks within Valles Marineris using 3D super-resolution restoration. |
Amount | £402,590 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/S001891/1 |
Organisation | UK Space Agency |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2018 |
End | 07/2021 |
Title | Setting-up of ESA Guest Storage Facility in Planetary Science Archives with 3D data processed within UKSA Aurora and STFC-CG |
Description | In association with the ESA-ESAC-PSA, 3D products produced within the STFC CG and subsequent UKSA Aurora project have been documented and delivered and are available online for the next 20 years. This infrastructure is called the ESA Guest Storage Facility and the first set of 3D products (2375 3D models spread around the whole of Mars) are accesible at the URL given below.. |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Every time a new peer-review publication is made there will be a link to a DOI which will link to an ESA landing-page through which the data products can be retrieved and downloaded. This will allow the Mars scientific community access to all of these products through the ESA-ESAC-PSA system. All Mars 3D products are linked to HRSC 3D products, where available, from ESA Mars Express which forms the global basemap. These products form a treasure-trove of scientific discoveries waiting to be uncovered. |
URL | https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/psa/UCL-MSSL_iMars_CTX_v1.0 |
Title | 3D models and terrain-corrected images of the Martian surface |
Description | High spatial resolution (18m) Digital Terrain Models (DTM) and (6m) orthorectified Images (ORI) have been produced covering the whole of Mars. The DTM products have been quality-controlled and where, available are co-registered to HRSC level-4 products. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | There are now 2,375 3D models all over the surface of Mars and associated terrain-corrected images which are being used by Mars scientists across the world for scientific research. |
URL | https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/psa/UCL-MSSL_iMars_CTX_v1.0 |
Description | Free University Berlin (FUB) - surface spectral bi-directional correction |
Organisation | Free University of Berlin |
Department | Medical School Berlin |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Provided 50m HRSC DTM mosaic covering the whole of the Valles Marineris region (82 image strips). This has been the result of 18 months of work. |
Collaborator Contribution | FUB will apply orthorectification (terrain correction) of all the constituent HRSC colour (RGB) and panchromatic and then apply a 5x5km TES phase angle correction to provide a seamless pan-sharpened colour mosaic of the whole region. They will also assess the utility of a 1 x 1km OMEGA-based BRF to provide an improved surface phase angle correction. |
Impact | working with geologists and webGIS mapping specialists |
Start Year | 2020 |
Title | Terrain modelling software for planetary surfaces |
Description | A fully automated Digital Terrain Modelling software based around an open source core called the NASA Ames Stereo Pipeline has been developed called CASP-GO |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Year Produced | 2017 |
Open Source License? | Yes |
Impact | This software is now being integrated into the ASP GitHub and will be made available to the worldwide scientific community shortly |
URL | https://github.com/NeoGeographyToolkit |
Description | Development of video recording on "Careers in space science and engineering" poduced for Fulbrook School, New Haw, Surrey |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | After providing a talk to the career's series of engagements with the outside world in November 2019, I was asked to provide a recording due to Covid-19 restrictions which I did in the Autumn of 2020 during the second lockdown. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021 |