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GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 30, NO. 11, 1577, doi:10.1029/2003GL017135, 2003

Generation of recent massive water floods at Cerberus Fossae, Mars by dike emplacement, cryospheric cracking, and confined aquifer groundwater release

James W. Head

Department of Geological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA


Lionel Wilson

Planetary Science Research Group, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom


Karl L. Mitchell

Planetary Science Research Group, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom


Abstract

Previous studies noted the close association of geologically very recent lava flows and fluvial channels emanating from Cerberus Fossae. To assess these relationships, we outline a model of magmatic dike emplacement that involves 1) surface fractures and localized volcanic eruptions, 2) attendant cryospheric cracking to fracture the surface and release pressurized groundwater confined beneath the cryosphere, 3) effusion of water along a segment of the fracture to form Athabasca Valles, and 4) heating of the regions adjacent to the dike to cause melting and subsequent subsidence of the surface, forming late-stage pits and depressions. Previous estimates of the aqueous discharge were ∼1–2 × 106 m3 s −1. Our models show that this flux could be readily accommodated by flow through adjacent dike-related cryospheric fractures at water rise speeds of ∼60 m/s. The required aquifer permeability, however, is far larger than commonly encountered over similar depths and scales on Earth. This suggests that water may be transported in the subsurface by mechanism more efficient than porous flow, and/or that the previously proposed volume flux values are overestimates.

Received 14 February 2003; accepted 14 April 2003; published 10 June 2003.

Index Terms: 1823 Hydrology: Frozen ground; 1821 Hydrology: Floods; 6225 Planetology: Solar System Objects: Mars; 5480 Planetology: Solid Surface Planets: Volcanism (8450).

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Citation: Head, J. W., L. Wilson, and K. L. Mitchell (2003), Generation of recent massive water floods at Cerberus Fossae, Mars by dike emplacement, cryospheric cracking, and confined aquifer groundwater release, Geophys. Res. Lett., 30(11), 1577, doi:10.1029/2003GL017135.