Map of tectonic shortening structures in Chryse Planitia and Arabia Terra, Mars

Abstract

ABSTRACTWe present a 1:4,000,000 scale map of tectonic landforms in Chryse Planitia and Arabia Terra, on either side of Mars’ dichotomy. Our study area is a ∼3 million km2 region, transitional between Mars’ highlands and lowlands including Oxia Planum, the landing site of the ExoMars rover. Using a structural mapping approach, we digitised all kilometre-scale tectonic structures at a scale of 1:50,000 using high-resolution data (∼6 m/pixel). Although this region is represented as sparsely tectonised on global tectonic maps, we find evidence of widespread tectonic shortening structures across the region. The shortening structures have a dominant N-S orientation and occur in all globally identified geological units. The structural map contributes to a broader understanding of the geological history of the region and Mars’ wider tectonic history.

Keywords

• Mars
• planetary tectonism
• shortening structures
• wrinkle ridges
• lobate scarps
• ExoMars