A Spatial Analysis of Gullies on Mars

dc.contributor.advisorCurrit, Nathan
dc.contributor.authorKincy, Leon
dc.contributor.committeeMemberButler, David
dc.contributor.committeeMemberFuhrmann, Sven
dc.date.accessioned2012-02-24T10:12:10Z
dc.date.available2012-02-24T10:12:10Z
dc.date.issued2009-12
dc.description.abstractThe purpose of this thesis is to improve the knowledge of Martian gully origins. This study specifically analyzes Martian surface composition, gully structure, and the spatial distribution of gullies. Gully badlands are digitized, and branching ratio vs. various elements composing the surface of Mars, is calculated. The spatial dispersion of gullies is determined to be clustered away from the equator. Few gullies are found within 30° of the equator. Gully sites are overlayed with surface composition data, both elemental and geologic, and findings show the surface of Mars is both a patchwork of minerals and a patchwork of geologic time zones. Evidence is found that indicates gullies are found in areas high in chlorine and low in water, potassium, iron, and silicon. A decision tree is created to help predict where gullies may occur. Taken together, these findings implicate brine as the likely fluid source for gullies on Mars. Findings also imply the water flow models presented by Clancy (1996) and Kuzmin (2006) may play a role in the formation of Martian gullies.
dc.description.departmentGeography and Environmental Studies
dc.formatText
dc.format.extent59 pages
dc.format.medium1 file (.pdf)
dc.identifier.citationKincy, L. (2009). A spatial analysis of gullies on Mars (Unpublished thesis). Texas State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, Texas.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10877/3368
dc.language.isoen
dc.subjectMars
dc.subjectGullies
dc.subjectGIS
dc.subjectWater
dc.subjectRemote sensing
dc.titleA Spatial Analysis of Gullies on Mars
dc.typeThesis
thesis.degree.departmentGeography
thesis.degree.disciplineGeography
thesis.degree.grantorTexas State University-San Marcos
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Applied Geography

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