Fluid volcanism on Miranda and Ariel: flow morphology and composition. (original) (raw)

NASA/ADS

Abstract

Several types of volcanic units have been recognized on the icy Uranian satellites Miranda and Ariel. On Miranda, ridges characterized by crest grooves are up to 10 km wide and 500 m high. A continuous flat-topped flow band also 10 km wide and 500 m high forms the outer southern margin of Elsinore Corona. Elsinore Coronae at least appears to comprise coalesced flow bands and ridges. On Ariel, in addition to at least one ridge unit similar to those on Miranda, flood plains material has covered the floors of deep chasmata (grabens) and an irregular depression. Flows on both satellites are characterized by linear vent geometries and distinct topographic margins, which indicate extrusion of a relatively viscous material. The topography of the flows is used to estimate flow viscosity or yield strength using a Bingham plastic model.

Publication:

Journal of Geophysical Research

Pub Date:

February 1991

DOI:

10.1029/90JB01604

Bibcode:

1991JGR....96.1887S

Keywords:

• Ariel;
• Miranda;
• Morphology;
• Satellite Surfaces;
• Volcanology;
• Icy Satellites;
• Planetary Crusts;
• Viscous Flow;
• Voyager 2 Spacecraft;
• URANUS;
• SATELLITES;
• MIRANDA;
• ARIEL;
• VOLCANISM;
• LAVA FLOW;
• MORPHOLOGY;
• COMPOSITION;
• ICY BODIES;
• ELSINORE CORONA;
• RIDGES;
• TOPOGRAPHY;
• VISCOSITY;
• TIMESCALE;
• EMPLACEMENT;
• YIELD STRENGTH;
• WIDTH;
• THICKNESS;
• SILICATE;
• ICE;
• RHEOLOGY;
• CANYONS;
• GROOVES;
• PLAINS;
• WATER;
• AMMONIA;
• MIXING;
• SURFACE;
• FEATURES;
• CRYSTALLIZATION;
• FOLDING;
• MODELS;
• FLUID PHASE;
• MELTS;
• COMPARISONS;
• Uranus Satellites: Volcanism;
• Uranus Satellites: Topography;
• Uranus Satellites: Viscosity