Surface Processes and Deformation

The surfaces of planetary bodies in our solar system record the stories of the geological processes and events that shape landscapes today and those that have shaped them in the past. A large density of impact craters reveals an ancient surface with minimal local geologic activity, dunes indicate a dense enough atmosphere to sustain wind, cracks in the surface reveal stress directions and tectonic activity, and flowing rivers carve canyons that may be preserved billions of years after the water has dried up. Understanding the variety of surface processes in our solar system and their expressions and histories on different planetary bodies enables us to investigate the history of life and worlds in our solar system and improve our understanding of the physics of geological processes under alien conditions. At Rice, we investigate these questions from both surface spacecraft, including rovers and landers on Mars, and orbiting satellites around Mars, the Moon, and other planets.

Siebach, McGovern (adjunct), Morgan

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