Cryovolcanic rates on Ceres revealed by topography

Cryovolcanism, defined here as the extrusion of icy material from depth, may be an important planetary phenomenon in shaping the surfaces of many worlds in the outer Solar System and revealing their thermal histories. However, the physics, chemistry and ubiquity of this geologic process remain poorly understood, especially in comparison to the better-studied silicate volcanism on the terrestrial planets. Ceres is the only plausibly cryovolcanic world to be orbited by a spacecraft up to now, making it the best opportunity to test the importance of cryovolcanism on bodies in the outer Solar System and compare its effects to silicate volcanism on terrestrial planets. Here, we analyse images from NASA’s Dawn mission and use the finite element method to show that Ceres has experienced cryovolcanism throughout its geologic history, with an average cryomagma extrusion rate of ~10^4 m^3 yr^(−1). This result shows that volcanic phenomena are important on Ceres, but orders of magnitude less so than on the terrestrial planets

Numerical modelling of the transport of trace gases including methane in the subsurface of Mars

We model the transport of gas through the martian subsurface in order to quantify the timescales of release of a trace gas with a source at depth using a Fickian model of diffusion through a putative martian regolith column. The model is then applied to the case of methane previously observed in the martian atmosphere. We investigate which parameters in the model have the greatest effect on transport timescales and find that transport is very sensitive to the pressure profile of the subsurface, but relatively insensitive to the temperature profile. Uncertainties in the composition, structure and physical conditions of the martian subsurface also introduce uncertainties in the timescales calculated. It was found that methane may take several hundred thousand Mars-years to diffuse from a source at depth. Purely diffusive transport cannot explain transient release that varies on timescales of less than one martian year from sources such as serpentinization or methanogenic organisms at depths of more than 2 km. However, diffusion of gas released by the destabilisation of methane clathrate hydrates close to the surface, for example caused by transient mass wasting events or erosion, could produce a rapidly varying flux of methane into the atmosphere of more than 10-3 kg m-2 s-1 over a duration of less than half a martian year, consistent with observations of martian methane variability. Seismic events, magmatic intrusions or impacts could also potentially produce similar patterns of release, but are far more complex to simulate

To align or not to align? Research methods and its relationship with dissertation marks across sport undergraduate degree programmes within a UK-based HE institution

Much research has referred to the complexity of research methods modules within undergraduate degree programmes. Less attention has been paid to the objective understanding of alignment between research methods and final year dissertations. This study explored relationships across Sport and Exercise Science (SES) and Sports Therapy (ST) programmes within a UK-based Higher Education institution. Analysis revealed females (N=73) outperformed males (N=117) at Levels 4/5, and SES students outperformed ST at Level 6. The Level 5 statistics assessment explained the lowest variance in the dissertation, suggesting poor alignment in curriculum design. Future research should consider the efficacy of statistics-based modules

The effects of dust content on surface sediment transport by carbon dioxide ice sublimation on Mars

International audienceDuring the martian year the surface temperatures in winter dip below the condensation temperature of carbon dioxide and it freezes onto the surface. In the spring, it sublimates directly back into the atmosphere and observations reveal that this cycle of condensation-sublimation results in identifiable sediment transport on the martian surface. We use data from the Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) on ESA's Exomars Trace Gas Orbiter to illustrate the range of landforms thought to be created by these sublimation processes. Previous experiments have revealed that condensation of CO2 ice into the regolith pore space and its subsequent sublimation can result in downslope sediment transport. they also showed that aeolian sand was less prone to sediment motion triggered by sublimation than martian regolith simulant and it was suggested the presence of dust could be responsible for this difference. As dust is an important component of the martian atmosphere and surface, in these experiments we explore the influence of dust content on the sediment transport processes and capacity for sediment transport.Our experimental setup consists of a liquid nitrogen cooled copper sample holder ~30cm long by 20 cm wide within which the sediment is formed into a slope at 30° (max. depth 10 cm). This container is placed inside the Open University’s Mars Chamber which has has a length of 2 m and a diameter of 1 m. One experiment typically takes 2hrs, and the preparation takes 12-14hrs. First the chamber is evacuated and backfilled with CO2 gas twice to purge terrestrial gases including H2O. Once this is complete the sample holder is cooled with liquid nitrogen until all the sediment temperatures reach the condensation temperature of CO2. The experiment then starts and a heat lamp is used to force the CO2 sublimation.  The experiments are monitored by an array of cameras for photogrammetry, a high definition video camera to record the processes, pressure gauges to maintain/monitor the pressure and thermocouples to monitor the sediment and surface temperature.In this series of experiments we vary the dust content in an aeolian sand matrix from 0 to 20% by weight by adding the clay fraction of the MSC simulant. We find no significant difference in the results between 0 and 5% dust content, then at higher values the transported volume and activity increases suddenly and the transported volume and activity remains stable at a higher level from 10% dust upwards. Our results reveal that a sediment transport threshold seems to exist between 5% and 10% dust content and therefore this factor must be considered when studying seasonally active surface processes on Mars

Pingo planetology: Comparative terrestrial analysis predicts pingos on Ceres - Hill elevation data, detailed methodology, and contextual information

Here, we test the hypothesis that water-rich impact melt units in Occator crater on Ceres gave rise to pingo analog forming systems by quantitatively addressing whether morphology can distinguish pingo-like structures from other hill-forms. Our results indicate that the morphologies of the Occator hills and terrestrial pingos are demonstrably similar while also being quantifiably distinct from those of terrestrial volcanic cones

Initial Gelogical Maps of the AC-H-10 Rongo and AC-H-15 Zadeni Quadrangles of Ceres using DAWN spacecraft data

We used geologic mapping applied to Dawn spacecraft data as a tool to understand the geologic history of the Ac-H-10 Rongo and Ac-H-15 Zadeni quadrangles of dwarf planet Ceres. These regions, Rongo and Zadeni, are located between 22°S-22°N and 288°-360°E and 65-90°S and 0°-360°E, respectively. The Rongo Quadrangle hosts a number of features: 1) the southwest portion is dissected by curvilinear structures likely caused by Yalode basin formation; 2) the central part is marked by dome-like constructs up to 100 km across; 3) a peculiar bright, c.4 km tall, conical structure informally known as the ‘pyramid’; 4) impact craters of various diameters appear moderately to highly degraded or are partially buried; and 5) bright material is primarily exposed in the central portion and often associated with craters. Rongo crater (68 km across) exhibits a central peak and scalloped walls indicative of its degraded appearance. The Zadeni Quadrangle is characterised by impact craters up to 130 km in diameter of which Zadeni crater is the largest. Impact craters across all sizes exhibit fresh to highly degraded morphologies or are partially buried. Many craters developed central peaks. Inter-crater plains are generally hummocky with isolated regions of smooth-textured surfaces. The south pole area (85-90°S) is poorly illuminated and may host a large impact structure. Upcoming work includes compositional assessment of surface units utilising FC colour images and VIR spectral data and establishment of relative and absolute stratigraphy using crater-based dating techniques

Preliminary Geological Maps of the Ac-H-10 Rongo and Ac-H-15 Zadeni Quadrangles: An integrated Mapping Study Using Dawn Spacecraft Data

We used geologic mapping applied to Dawn spacecraft data as a tool to understand the geologic history of the Ac-H-10 Rongo and Ac-H-15 Zadeni quadrangles of dwarf planet Ceres. These regions, Rongo and Zadeni, are located between 22°S-22°N and 288°-360°E and 65-90°S and 0°-360°E, respectively. The Rongo Quadrangle hosts a number of features: 1) the southwest portion is dissected by curvilinear structures likely caused by Yalode basin formation; 2) the central part is marked by dome-like constructs up to 100 km across; 3) a peculiar bright, c.4 km tall, conical structure informally known as the ‘pyramid’; 4) impact craters of various diameters appear moderately to highly degraded or are partially buried; and 5) bright material is primarily exposed in the central portion and often associated with craters. Rongo crater (68 km across) exhibits a central peak and scalloped walls indicative of its degraded appearance. The Zadeni Quadrangle is characterised by impact craters up to 130 km in diameter of which Zadeni crater is the largest. Impact craters across all sizes exhibit fresh to highly degraded morphologies or are partially buried. Many craters developed central peaks. Inter-crater plains are generally hummocky with isolated regions of smooth-textured surfaces. The south pole area (85-90°S) is poorly illuminated and may host a large impact structure. At the time of this writing geologic mapping was performed on Framing Camera (FC) mosaics from Approach (1.3 km/px) and Survey (415 m/px) orbits, including clear filter and colour images and digital terrain models derived from stereo images. In Fall 2015 images from the High Altitude Mapping Orbit (140 m/px) will be used to refine the mapping, followed by Low Altitude Mapping Orbit (35 m/px) starting in December 2015. Support of the Dawn Instrument, Operations, and Science Teams is acknowledged. This work is supported by grants from NASA through the Dawn project, and from the German and Italian Space Agencies