PROBLEM STATEMENT: GEOLOGY-GEOPHYSICS GOAL
PROBLEM STATEMENT: GEOLOGY-GEOPHYSICS GOAL
Ronald [email protected]
Arizona State University11 January 2001
Ronald [email protected]
Arizona State University11 January 2001
Objectives and Investigations for Mars ExplorationObjectives and Investigations for Mars Exploration
� configuration of the interior� magnetic field history� thermal evolution� mantle evolution
� configuration of the interior� magnetic field history� thermal evolution� mantle evolution
MARS GEOLOGY-GEOPHYSICS GOALMARS GEOLOGY-GEOPHYSICS GOAL
Objective: determine formation and evolution of crust (in priority order)Objective: determine formation and evolution of crust (in priority order)
� present water� sedimentary processes� absolute time-scale� igneous history� surface-atmosphere interactions� crustal structure� tectonic history� crustal composition
� present water� sedimentary processes� absolute time-scale� igneous history� surface-atmosphere interactions� crustal structure� tectonic history� crustal composition
Objective: characterize the interior(in priority order)Objective: characterize the interior(in priority order)
FORMATION AND EVOLUTION OF THE CRUSTFORMATION AND EVOLUTION OF THE CRUST
Investigation 1: Search for waterInvestigation 1: Search for water
� global mapping� global search for subsurface water� search for subsurface water
from surface� drill for water� in situ measurements, mineralogy,
etc.
� global mapping� global search for subsurface water� search for subsurface water
from surface� drill for water� in situ measurements, mineralogy,
etc.
FORMATION AND EVOLUTION OF THE CRUSTFORMATION AND EVOLUTION OF THE CRUST
Investigation 2: Evolution of sedimentary processes/materialsInvestigation 2: Evolution of sedimentary processes/materials
� global mapping� in situ study� drilling
? 100m? 1 km
� returned samples
� global mapping� in situ study� drilling
? 100m? 1 km
� returned samples
FORMATION AND EVOLUTION OF THE CRUSTFORMATION AND EVOLUTION OF THE CRUST
Investigation 3: Absolute time scale/cratering recordInvestigation 3: Absolute time scale/cratering record
� isotopic dates for 2 or more sites� determine current impact flux� isotopic dates for 2 or more sites� determine current impact flux
GEOLOGIC HISTORY OF MARS
FORMATION AND EVOLUTION OF THE CRUSTFORMATION AND EVOLUTION OF THE CRUST
Investigation 4: Evaluate igneous processes through timeInvestigation 4: Evaluate igneous processes through time
� global mapping
� in situ analyses, 3 sites
� returned samples, 2 sites
� search for thermal anomalies
� global mapping
� in situ analyses, 3 sites
� returned samples, 2 sites
� search for thermal anomalies
FORMATION AND EVOLUTION OF THE CRUSTFORMATION AND EVOLUTION OF THE CRUST
Investigation 5: Surface-atmosphere interactions (polar, aeolian, weathering, mass-wasting, etc.)Investigation 5: Surface-atmosphere interactions (polar, aeolian, weathering, mass-wasting, etc.)
� global mapping� global SAR mapping� in situ measurements, sediments
3 sites� weather network, 16 stations� returned samples, 3 sites
� global mapping� global SAR mapping� in situ measurements, sediments
3 sites� weather network, 16 stations� returned samples, 3 sites
FORMATION AND EVOLUTION OF THE CRUSTFORMATION AND EVOLUTION OF THE CRUST
Investigation 6: Vertical crustal structure/regional variationsInvestigation 6: Vertical crustal structure/regional variations
� global mapping
� global SAR mapping
� in situ measurements, 3 sites
� seismic monitoring, 2 sites
� returned samples, several sites
� global gravity surveys
� global mapping
� global SAR mapping
� in situ measurements, 3 sites
� seismic monitoring, 2 sites
� returned samples, several sites
� global gravity surveys
FORMATION AND EVOLUTION OF THE CRUSTFORMATION AND EVOLUTION OF THE CRUST
Investigation 7: Tectonic history and present activity of crustInvestigation 7: Tectonic history and present activity of crust
� global mapping
� global magnetic measurements
� regional magnetic surveys
� seismic monitoring
� global mapping
� global magnetic measurements
� regional magnetic surveys
� seismic monitoring
FORMATION AND EVOLUTION OF THE CRUSTFORMATION AND EVOLUTION OF THE CRUST
Investigation 8: Bulk composition and evolution of crustInvestigation 8: Bulk composition and evolution of crust
� global mapping
� global SAR mapping
� in situ measurements
� seismic monitoring
� returned samples, 3 sites
� global mapping
� global SAR mapping
� in situ measurements
� seismic monitoring
� returned samples, 3 sites
CHARACTERIZE THE INTERIORCHARACTERIZE THE INTERIOR
Investigation 1: Determine interior configurationInvestigation 1: Determine interior configuration� global gravity survey� global magnetic measurements� concurrent rotational dynamics, 2 landers� global seismic monitoring, 12 stations
� global gravity survey� global magnetic measurements� concurrent rotational dynamics, 2 landers� global seismic monitoring, 12 stations
Investigation 2: Magnetic field historyInvestigation 2: Magnetic field history
� global magnetic measurements� regional magnetic surveys� global magnetic measurements� regional magnetic surveys
Investigation 3: Thermal evolution of the crustInvestigation 3: Thermal evolution of the crust
� global gravity survey� global magnetic survey� concurrent rotational dynamics, 2 landers� global seismic monitoring, 12 stations� in situ heat flow
� global gravity survey� global magnetic survey� concurrent rotational dynamics, 2 landers� global seismic monitoring, 12 stations� in situ heat flow
Investigation 4: Chemical and thermal evolution, mantleInvestigation 4: Chemical and thermal evolution, mantle� as above� returned samples, igneous rocks� as above� returned samples, igneous rocks
GEOLOGY-GEOPHYSICS GOALGEOLOGY-GEOPHYSICS GOAL
� Will require >decades of work
� Progress will be iterative
� Few investigations will be 100% completed
� For some investigations, humans are more efficient andprovide higher quality results
� Need to determine unique aspects of human exploration(e.g., real-time adaptability....?)
� Will require >decades of work
� Progress will be iterative
� Few investigations will be 100% completed
� For some investigations, humans are more efficient andprovide higher quality results
� Need to determine unique aspects of human exploration(e.g., real-time adaptability....?)
