LRO observations of morphology and surface roughness of volcanic cones and lobate lava flows in the Marius Hills
Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: The volcanic domes, cones, sinuous rilles, and pyroclastic deposits of the Marius Hills region of the Moon (~13.4°N, 304.6°E) represent a significant episode of magmatic activity at or near the lunar surface that is still poorly understood. Comparisons between LROC NAC block populations, Mini‐RF data, and Diviner‐derived rock abundances confirm that blocky lava flows comprise the domes of the Marius Hills. 8 µm features measured by Diviner indicate that the domes are not rich in silica and are not significantly different than surrounding mare materials. LROC observations indicate that some of the dome‐building lava flows originated directly from volcanic cones. Many of the cones are C‐shaped, while others are irregularly shaped, and local topography and lava eruptions affect cone shape. In general, the cones are morphologically similar to terrestrial cinder and lava cones and are composed of varying amounts of cinder, spatter, and lava. Many of the cones are found in local groupings or alignments. The wide range of volcanic features, from broad low domes to steep cones, represents a range of variable eruption conditions. Complex morphologies and variable layering show that eruption conditions were variable over the plateau.
DOI: 10.1002/jgre.20060
Institutions: Arizona State University, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, University of Hawaii System, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Washington University in St. Louis, Stony Brook University, Universities Space Research Association, Lunar and Planetary Institute, Na Kama Kai, Goddard Space Flight Center
Language: English
Subfield: Space and Planetary Science
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W1612602007