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Influence of fault-controlled topography on fluvio-deltaic sedimentary systems in Eberswalde crater, Mars

  1. Melissa S. Rice1,
  2. Sanjeev Gupta2,
  3. James F. Bell III3 and
  4. Nicholas H. Warner2

Article first published online: 27 AUG 2011

DOI: 10.1029/2011GL048149

Issue

Geophysical Research Letters

Geophysical Research Letters


Additional Information

How to Cite

Rice, M. S., S. Gupta, J. F. Bell III, and N. H. Warner (2011), Influence of fault-controlled topography on fluvio-deltaic sedimentary systems in Eberswalde crater, Mars, Geophys. Res. Lett., 38, L16203, doi:10.1029/2011GL048149.

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Astronomy, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA

  2. 2

    Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK

  3. 3

    School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 27 AUG 2011
  2. Article first published online: 27 AUG 2011
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 24 JUL 2011
  4. Manuscript Revised: 19 JUL 2011
  5. Manuscript Received: 16 MAY 2011

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Keywords:

  • Eberswalde crater;
  • Mars;
  • Mars Science Laboratory;
  • fault-controlled topography;
  • fluvio-deltaic systems

[1] Eberswalde crater was selected as a candidate landing site for the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission based on the presence of a fan-shaped sedimentary deposit interpreted as a delta. We have identified and mapped five other candidate fluvio-deltaic systems in the crater, using images and digital terrain models (DTMs) derived from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) and Context Camera (CTX). All of these systems consist of the same three stratigraphic units: (1) an upper layered unit, conformable with (2) a subpolygonally fractured unit, unconformably overlying (3) a pitted unit. We have also mapped a system of NNE-trending scarps interpreted as dip-slip faults that pre-date the fluvial-lacustrine deposits. The post-impact regional faulting may have generated the large-scale topography within the crater, which consists of a Western Basin, an Eastern Basin, and a central high. This topography subsequently provided depositional sinks for sediment entering the crater and controlled the geomorphic pattern of delta development.

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