Oceanic structures of the Earth and the North Depression of Mars: A comparison of the formation mechanisms

Abstract

The system of contemporary oceans on Earth and the North Depression of Mars are quasi-symmetrical in reference to the centers of of the hemispheres. Both systems had been formed over the common megacycle of evolution of planets and their origin is likely to have similar features. The formation of the Earth's oceanic system within the South Hemisphere seems to have proceeded in three stages: (1) the formation of a network of passive rifts at the center of the Gondwana; (2) the formation of the system of active rifts at the zones of forthcoming spreading; and (3) the spreading of the oceanic crust. The formation of the Mar's North Depression seems to have proceeded in two stages: (1) a formation of a dense network of grabens and faults at the center of the North Hemisphere over the upper mantle zone characterized by an anomalous warm-up and a density decrease; and (2) a collapse of the ancient crust and it's overflowing by basalts. The first stage of the ocean formation on Earth and Mars is similar. But there seems to have been a thinner lithosphere on Mars. The dense areal rifting was immediately followed by a total collapse