Geology & Volcanism

Plate Tectonics: “A theory that explains the global distribution of geological phenomena such as seismicity, volcanism, continental drift, and mountain building in terms of the formation, destruction, movement, and interaction of the earth's lithosphere plates.” Subduction Zones: Are the places where two lithospheric plates come together. Oceanic plates are more dense and thus move under continental (less dense) plates. So, most volcanoes on land occur parallel to and inland from the boundary between the two plates. QUICK FACT: Earth has three types of Volcanoes: Cinder Cone, Composite, and Shield

Hot Spots: Are fixed places within the mantle or oceanic lithosphere where rocks melt to become magma. When a hot spot is situated in the oceanic lithosphere a shield volcanoes is built. Are fixed places within the mantle or oceanic lithosphere where rocks melt to become magma. When a hot spot is situated in the oceanic lithosphere a shield volcanoes is built. Rock Cycle: There are three different ways rock can be created on earth and thus there are three main on earth and thus there are three main classifications of rock, based on the three processes - igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. QUICK FACT: Oldest rock on Earth 2011: “Scientists have discovered rocks that are 4.28 billion years old, making them 250 million years more ancient than any previously discovered rocks. Our planet formed about 4.6 billion years ago, so these rocks could provide a unique window on the young Earth.”

NASA Mars Exploration Program: Geology – – Goal 3: Characterize the Geology of Mars All NASA missions to Mars (past, present, & future)

A Few Changes: 1 st : NO PLATE TECTONICS 2 nd : NO SUBDUCTION 3 rd : NO ROCK CYCLE So, What does this mean? QUICK FACT: Oldest rock on MARS: The oldest Martian meteorite was believed to be ALH84001, at ~ 4.5 billion years. (New data (4/15/10) may date the meteorite at billion years )

Mars’ geology is basically unchanged Mars’ geology is basically unchanged One type of Volcano is formed – Shield Volcano One type of Volcano is formed – Shield Volcano Rocks and Minerals on Mars are original. Rocks and Minerals on Mars are original. They do not recycle into another type of rock. Mars become the perfect place to study... HOW? Mars become the perfect place to study... HOW? – NASA Orbiters Missions – NASA Rovers Missions

Geography : Study Volcanoes

1997 Mars Global Surveyor MOLA: The Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter created the most accurate global topographic map of any planet in the solar system, giving scientists elevation maps precise to within about 30 centimeters (1 foot) in the vertical dimension 2001 Mars Odyssey THEMIS : By looking at the visible and infrared parts of the spectrum, THEMIS is determining the distribution of minerals on the surface of Mars and helping scientists understand how the mineralogy of the planet relates to the landforms Mars Express Seven scientific instruments onboard the orbiting spacecraft will perform a series of remote sensing experiments designed to shed new light on the Martian atmosphere, the planet's structure, geology and composition Mars Global Surveyor 2001 Mars Odyssey 2003 Mars Express

Mars has the Largest Volcanoes in our solar system. Up to 100 times larger than on Earth Only Shield Volcanoes are on Mars

Shield Volcano -- A broad volcanic cone with gentle slopes constructed of successive lava flows. Picture: NASA Viking Orbiter (July ) Olympus Mons is the largest volcano on Mars. This shield volcano, similar to volcanoes in Hawaii, measures 624 km (374 mi) in diameter by 25 km (16 mi) high. Located on the Tharsis Plateau near the equator, Olympus Mons is bordered by an escarpment. The caldera in the center is 80 km (50 mi) wide and contains multiple circular, overlapping collapse craters created by different volcanic events. The radial features on the slopes of the volcano were formed by overflowing lava and debris.

Mauna Loa Hawaii Olympus Mons Landsat Image : February 5, 2000

Picture 1: 2003 Mars Express ( European Space Agency) MOLA Data (Science Team) Regional map of the Tharsis dome (high elevation to the west) and Chryse outflow basin (low lying region to the east) e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=31028&fbodylongid= e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=31028&fbodylongid= 646 Picture 2: 2001 Mars Odyssey Mission THEMIS: The Thermal Emission Imaging System is a camera that images Mars in the visible and infrared parts of the spectrum in order to determine the distribution of minerals on the surface of Mars. ology/ ology/

Olympus THEMIS: Another View

PyramidsMars Volcanoes

Mapping the Surface of the Planet Mars Education Program Arizona State University

To Study Rocks and Minerals

1976 Viking 1 & 2 Primary scientific objectives of the lander mission: to study the biology, chemical composition (organic and inorganic), meteorology, seismology, magnetic properties, appearance, and physical properties of the Martian surface and atmosphere Mars Explorer Rover (MER) Panoramic Camera : Determining the mineralogy, texture, and structure of the local terrain. Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer Identifying promising rocks and soils for closer examination and for determining the processes that formed Martian rocks. Microscopic Imager : Obtaining close-up, high-resolution images of rocks and soils Mössbauer Spectrometer : Close-up investigations of the mineralogy of iron- bearing rocks and soils. Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer : Close- up analysis of the abundances of elements that make up rocks and soils Viking Mars Explorer Rover

Marquette Island is a coarse-grained rock with a basalt composition. The coarseness indicates it cooled slowly from molten rock, allowing crystals time to grow. This composition suggests to geologists that it originated deep in the crust, not at the surface where it would cool quicker and have finer-grained texture 2004 Mars Explorer Rover (MER)

The science team used two tools on Opportunity's arm -- the microscopic imager and the alpha particle X-ray spectrometer -- to inspect the rock's texture and composition. Information from the spectrometer confirmed that the rock is a nickel-iron meteorite. The team informally named the rock "Oileán Ruaidh" (pronounced ay-lan ruah), which is the Gaelic name for an island off the coast of northwestern Ireland 2004 Mars Explorer Rover (MER)

The rover used the tools on its robotic arm to examine the texture and composition of target areas on the rock with and without the dark coating. The rock is about the size of a loaf of bread. Initial analysis was inconclusive about whether the coating on the rock is material that melted during the impact event that dug the crater. This view is presented in false color, which makes some differences between materials easier to see. It combines three separate images taken through filters Mars Explorer Rover (MER)

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