The evolution of surface topography on Mars from channel networks
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Earth Atmospheric and Env Sciences
Abstract
The aim of this PhD project is to examine the surface record provided by flows, such as water drainage channels (but also flows associated with volcanic eruptions and glaciers), to investigate the nature of surface elevation changes on Mars. The concept of palaeotopography to reconstruct vertical motions of the lithosphere has been widely used on Earth, but much less so in planetary applications. Palaeotopographic reconstructions are based on the assumption that fluids flow down the path of steepest descent. Thus, the orientation of valley networks may be used to infer the down-slope direction at the time the channels were active and any discrepancy with the modern down-slope direction implies that the slope containing the channels has been distorted.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST/N504166/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/03/2021 | |||
| 1667692 | Studentship | ST/N504166/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/12/2018 | Rickbir Bahia |
| Description | I have developed an updated, high resolution latitudinal strip of Martian valley networks between 20 degrees East to 20 degrees West. This map was used to produce a map of Valley Discordance - i.e. valleys that have a consistent orientation with present regional slope. This Map can be used to identify areas of the Martian surface that has undergone topographic change since valley networks ceased development on Mars (~3.7 billion years ago). This map allowed me to test scaling relationships applied to terrestrial valley networks to Martian valley networks in order to test whether they abide by similar scaling laws as Earth. These are important as they allow one to use present valley morphological data to derive information about the surface conditions when the valleys formed. Previous it was found that these scaling relationships were inapplicable to Mars, however, I found by applying these relationships to valley systems that had consistent topography to when they formed, the relationships yielded similar results to Earth. This study also revealed Martian valley networks likely formed via precipitation in a warm and wet climate. The technique of using valley networks to identify areas of changing topography since valley formation can be applied to other areas of Mars to analyse its development. Furthermore, these techniques are applicable to other planetary bodies which have fluid formed valley networks, and even Earth. |
| Exploitation Route | All the valley data found in this study will be made publicly available on the Astrogeology's PDS Annex. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Other |
| Description | The open days I have organised have resulted in a paper that has information on pedagogy - giving information on how outreach events can best teach students. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2019 |
| Sector | Education |
| Impact Types | Societal |
| Description | Europlanet RPIF 3D Planetary Imaging Workshop 2016 travel grant |
| Amount | £500 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University College London |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2016 |
| End | 07/2016 |
| Description | Margaret Elizabeth Lee Fellowship Travel Fund |
| Amount | £500 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Manchester |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2019 |
| End | 03/2019 |
| Title | High Resolution Valley Map of Mars (Latitudinal Strip - 20 Degrees West to 20 Degrees East) |
| Description | An updated valley map of Mars between 20 degrees west to 20 degrees East. All valleys have length, slope, slope direction and paleaoslope direction data. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This has revealed many more valleys on Mars than previous thought. It has also allowed the development of a valley discordance map which reveals information about the ancient surface of Mars. |
| Title | Martian Valley Discordance Map (Latitudinal Strip - 20 Degrees West to 20 Degrees East) |
| Description | A map that represents Martian valleys as a function of their concordance or discordance with present regional slope. |
| Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This map can be used to identify areas of Mars that have been topographically altered since valley formation. It has allowed one to identify valley networks which have morphological and topographical characteristics that reflect the time of valley formation. |
| Description | Invited Talk - West Didsbury Astronomical Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I was invited to give a talk to the West Didsbury Astronomical Society on Martian Science. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Invited Talk at the Manchester Astronomical Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I was asked to give a talk to the Manchester Astronomical Society on Martian Science. They have since asked me to do this again. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Involvement in the Manchester University - Earth and Solar System Outreach Group (2015 - 2019) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I have been involved in numerous outreach events with the Earth and Solar System Group; ranging from local Museum days, explaining the origins of meteorites to the general public, to running a stall at the Blue Dot festival. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016,2017,2018,2019 |
| Description | Manchester University Open Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | I organised and ran an open day for 30 pupils from the local Runshaw College. I gave the students an hour long talk about Martian Science and then led a 2 hour long practical session on Martian valley analysis (directly relating to my PhD subject area). The day was finalized with a 30 minutes session on meteorites. This event led to 9 of the students apply to and attending Manchester University. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Manchester University Open Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | I organised and ran an open day for 60 pupils from the local colleges. I gave the students an hour long talk about Martian Science and then led a two 2 hour long practical session on Martian valley analysis (directly relating to my PhD subject area). These sessions overlapped with an hour long session on meteorites, followed by a UCAS talk and tour of the department. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | St John's Primary School Visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Myself and two of my collegues (Dr. Sarah Crowther and Aimee Smith) visited St John's Primary School (in Swinton) for the day. We gave a presentation on planetary science and led a number of classes showing the children meteorites and answering their questions at the end of the lessons. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |