Closed depressions in Kotido crater, Arabia Terra, Mars. Possible evidence of evaporite dissolution-induced subsidence

Parenti, Carlota ; Gutiérrez, Francisco (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Baioni, Davide ; García-Arnay, Ángel (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Sevil, Jorge (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Luzzi, Erica

Resumen: The identification of karst sinkholes in Mars may provide evidence of dissolution processes caused by liquid water and information on paleoclimatic and paleohydrological conditions. This work presents a comprehensive cartographic inventory of 513 closed depressions developed on evaporite-bearing Equatorial Layered Deposits (ELDs) within Kotido crater, Arabia Terra. Detailed mapping, morphometric analyses and spatial distribution relationships reveal a number of features supporting that the depressions correspond to collapse sinkholes related to evaporite dissolution: (1) suitable topographic and litho-structural conditions for the development of a fracture-controlled epigene evaporite karst; (2) presence of open fissures at the foot of the scarped margins; (3) dimensions and frequency-size distributions comparable with those reported on Earth; (4) spatial association with high-permeability zones (i.e., fractures). Some characteristics of the depressions indicate that they have been re-shaped and enlarged by wind erosion: (1) dominant orientation consistent with the prevalent one-directional winds; (2) differing morphological characteristics on the downwind- and upwind-sides; and (3) nested depressions associated with the upwind sector. The relatively fresh appearance of the depressions and the lack of impact craters suggest a poorly constrained Amazonian karstification phase in the region.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2020.113680

Año: 2020

Publicado en: Icarus 341 (2020), 113680 [14 pp.]
ISSN: 0019-1035

Factor impacto JCR: 3.508 (2020)

Categ. JCR: ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS rank: 26 / 68 = 0.382 (2020) - Q2 - T2

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 1.524 - Space and Planetary Science (Q1) - Astronomy and Astrophysics (Q1)

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MINECO/CGL2017-85045-P

Tipo y forma: Article (PostPrint)

Área (Departamento): Área Geodinámica Externa (Dpto. Ciencias de la Tierra)