2026-09-21T14:10:21Zhttps://dspace.mit.edu/server/oai/requestoai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/379832022-01-13T07:54:24Zcom_1721.1_7582com_1721.1_7581col_1721.1_131023
Maria T. Zuber.
Dennedy-Frank, P. James (Peter James)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
zma----
2007-07-18T13:20:28Z
2007-07-18T13:20:28Z
2006
2006
http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/37983
150568714
Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, 2006.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 57-64).
I investigate the hypothesis that the young and smooth surface of the Martian northern hemisphere is due to volcanic resurfacing driven by degree-one convection. I implement a batch melting process in a finite element convection model and run numerical experiments to quantify the melt fraction, timing of melting, and timing of the onset of degree-one convection. All models include a stratified viscosity to induce degree-one flow. To assure that the model's result is robust I vary the model's initial conditions, core-mantle boundary temperature and radius, and the thickness of the lithospheric lid. Long-wavelength convection is a consistent result of the viscosity stratification, and degree-one occurs in one third of the numerical experiments. I compare the melt fraction and onset of degree-one convection to the geological evidence from Martian orbiters, rovers, and meteorites. Good agreement is found between the numerical models and geological evidence, so this model suggests that volcanism driven by degree-one convection may play a significant role in the young age of the northern hemisphere of Mars.
by P. James Dennedy-Frank.
S.M.
64 leaves
eng
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.
http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582
Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences.
Low-degree convection with melting and application to the Martian northern hemisphere
Thesis
application/pdf
Publication
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<Abstract>I investigate the hypothesis that the young and smooth surface of the Martian northern hemisphere is due to volcanic resurfacing driven by degree-one convection. I implement a batch melting process in a finite element convection model and run numerical experiments to quantify the melt fraction, timing of melting, and timing of the onset of degree-one convection. All models include a stratified viscosity to induce degree-one flow. To assure that the model's result is robust I vary the model's initial conditions, core-mantle boundary temperature and radius, and the thickness of the lithospheric lid. Long-wavelength convection is a consistent result of the viscosity stratification, and degree-one occurs in one third of the numerical experiments. I compare the melt fraction and onset of degree-one convection to the geological evidence from Martian orbiters, rovers, and meteorites. Good agreement is found between the numerical models and geological evidence, so this model suggests that volcanism driven by degree-one convection may play a significant role in the young age of the northern hemisphere of Mars.</Abstract>
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