Software used: ArcMap 10.3.0, MatLab R2015b, Google Earth 7.1.5
Evaluation of Eberswalde Crater: Analysis of River Delta, Inflow Channels, and Potential Landing Site for Rover Mission Software used: ArcMap , MatLab R2015b, Google Earth 7.1.5 Jonathan Dolinschi Eberswalde Crater Context Centered at: 24S, 327E 65
Eberswalde Crater Context Centered at: 24S, 327E 65.3 km in diameter Approximately 800 meters deep Research Problem and Why it is Important
Eberswalde delta volumeAn inverted relief delta formed by the flow of most likely water.What is the volume of the delta? Inflow channels into the craterSemi-meandering channels flowing into the crater.What is the estimated water discharge rate of the channels and subsequent sediment discharge rate? How longwould it have taken to deposit the delta? Mars rover mission and possible landing sites in/near the craterBy taking into account thermal inertia and slope, what are possible locations for a safe landing ellipse for a rovermission to study the delta and related structures? Why is this important?Time that river flowed: Tells us if life had time to develop in a wet environment and how wet Mars past was.Rover mission landing site: Rovers are expensive and not many are launched. A rover mission to Eberswaldemust have a safe landing spot that is relatively flat and devoid of large boulders. Data Sources and Methods Used
Digital Elevation Model (DEM) MapsMars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) onboard the Mars Global Surveyor orbiterResolution: 463 meters/pixel Infrared Maps (Day IR, Night IR, and Thermal Inertia)Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) onboard the Mars Odyssey orbiterResolution: 100 meters/pixelAll data acquired from the Astropedia at astrogeology.usgs.gov Methods Used-Pre-delta surface extrapolated using non-delta crater floor sections of DEM and then ArcMap used to calculatevolume of delta.-Channel cross section and slope found using DEMs and then discharge rate calculated with Mannings formulausing MatLab. Stream flow time estimated using delta volume and estimated sediment discharge rate.-Rover landing ellipse location estimated using thermal inertia maps and slope map combined into red andgreen bands and slope of path rover could take to the delta plotted using ArcMap Thickness of Delta Deposition River Channel Cross Section and Plots
Manning coefficient: | Specific gravity of sediment: 2.65 | Sediment Volume Load: 5% North Channel Slope: | South Channel Slope: Rover Mission Potential Landing Ellipse Results Eberswalde DeltaDelta consists of two main lobes ranging from 70 meters depth at lobecenters to 30 meters between. Total deposited volume is km3 River ChannelsTime to deposit delta ranges from about a couple of days at almost bank fullto approximately 40,000 years at 1 meter depth. However, the most likelyscenario is a depth of 6 to 3 meters which would be 10 to 500 years of riverflow. Rover Mission Landing SiteWhile the inside of the crater is too rocky to land in, a landing ellipse fitsoutside the crater to the northeast of the delta. A 35 km drive to reach theriver delta at slopes no higher than 10 is possible. Future Work Possible Eberswalde DeltaA more accurate model of the location of the crater floor can be accomplished to calculatethe delta volume more accurately. River ChannelsChannel Manning coefficient was estimated, but thermal inertia can more accuratelyprovide terrain roughness. Sediment load was also estimated based on Earth rivers butriver flow models can provide more accurate load. Rover Mission Landing SiteRadar reflectivity map for radar velocimeter/altimeter of the descent vehicleAlbedo for more information on surface competency and densitySpectrometer data to pinpoint areas of interest, i.e. clays and marine deposits