Full Version: MARCH 2011 CHARM
Does this relate to the paper by Jeffrey M. Moore, Robert T. Pappalardo, "Titan: An exogenic world," in the April 2011 issue of Icarus?
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=A...mp;searchtype=a
(requires paid access)
This paper seems to make a convincing case that much of what has previously been referred to as cryovolcanism-derived features is more likely derived from eolian/precipitation/impact processes. The slides make a persuasive case for a cryovolcano, however.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=A...mp;searchtype=a
(requires paid access)
This paper seems to make a convincing case that much of what has previously been referred to as cryovolcanism-derived features is more likely derived from eolian/precipitation/impact processes. The slides make a persuasive case for a cryovolcano, however.
Very interesting CHARM!
Sotra Facula was always my favourite candidate for cryovolcanism.
"Titan is flat...except where it isn't."
--R. Lorenz
Sotra Facula was always my favourite candidate for cryovolcanism.
"Titan is flat...except where it isn't."
--R. Lorenz
They do relate. I've posted summaries of both groups' work in the blog:
http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00002391/
http://planetary.org/blog/article/00002840/
And when I posted the summary of Kirk's work, I got an email from Jeff saying he and Bob Pappalardo disagreed with it
http://www.planetary.org/blog/article/00002391/
http://planetary.org/blog/article/00002840/
And when I posted the summary of Kirk's work, I got an email from Jeff saying he and Bob Pappalardo disagreed with it
QUOTE (Jeff Moore)
Bob and I find Sotra Facula unconvincing as a volcano. The depth/diameter ratio of te hole is exactly that of an impact crater of that size. The plateau unit N of the crater has steep scalloped flanks with concave alcoves completely consistent with scarps undergoing retreat from mass wasting. The "lobate flows" beyond the alcoves can simply be landslide or other mass wasted debris.
As always, we can't prove it's not a volcano. (Just as one cannot disprove the existence of God) It's interesting to note that we never see volcanic mountains on any other icy satellite. The motivation for "wanting" volcanoes on Titan as stated in your blog, is to explain the CH4 abundance in the atmosphere.
As always, we can't prove it's not a volcano. (Just as one cannot disprove the existence of God) It's interesting to note that we never see volcanic mountains on any other icy satellite. The motivation for "wanting" volcanoes on Titan as stated in your blog, is to explain the CH4 abundance in the atmosphere.
Good to know that there's still some controversy to keep things interesting
I don't know, after all I'm not scientist, but if DTM (page 39 in the Kirk's CHARM) of the Sotra facula is accurate, then S. f. looks more like small variant of the Io's Tohil montes + Radegast patera than classic
impact crater.
impact crater.
Emily quotes from Jeff Moore: "It's interesting to note that we never see volcanic mountains on any other icy satellite."
Well, material erupted into a vacuum behaves differently, as indeed we do see on two other outer planet satellites. Many volatiles sumlime away and projectiles move in ballistic trajectories. Anything returning to the surface is likely to be more widely spread. I think it's possible to argue that volcanic mountains are more likely to form in the presence of a significant atmosphere.
Having said that, I remain a volcanosceptic until more examples turn up.
Having said that, it's not hard to envisage ways that active endogenic processes could operate to release the methane without leaving recognisable volcanic structures.
Going further, it's not clear that endogenic processes do not operate on supposedly dead worlds such as Callisto (or Mercury).
So yes, there is still plenty of room for lively debate.
ALL of that aside, my favourite page from the presentation is page 29 - the multi-instrument montage of the Huygens landing site.
Well, material erupted into a vacuum behaves differently, as indeed we do see on two other outer planet satellites. Many volatiles sumlime away and projectiles move in ballistic trajectories. Anything returning to the surface is likely to be more widely spread. I think it's possible to argue that volcanic mountains are more likely to form in the presence of a significant atmosphere.
Having said that, I remain a volcanosceptic until more examples turn up.
Having said that, it's not hard to envisage ways that active endogenic processes could operate to release the methane without leaving recognisable volcanic structures.
Going further, it's not clear that endogenic processes do not operate on supposedly dead worlds such as Callisto (or Mercury).
So yes, there is still plenty of room for lively debate.
ALL of that aside, my favourite page from the presentation is page 29 - the multi-instrument montage of the Huygens landing site.
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