Subsurface Geometry and Emplacement Conditions of a Giant Dike System in Elysium Fossae, Mars
- Rivas, Samuel
- Ruiz Pérez, Javier
- Romeo Briones, Ignacio
DOIAbstract
Elysium Fossae is a NW-SE, 350 km-long linear graben system located in the eastern flank of Elysium Mons, Mars. Graben widths, lengths, and topographic data were used to model the thicknesses, depths, heights, and excess pressures of a possible dike system underneath these grabens. Area balance on topographic profiles across the structures reveals dikes at depths of 241–2,330 m below the surface, with average thicknesses <60 m, and heights of 15–20 km. These heights are approximately three times larger than terrestrial dikes intruded in the shallow crust. The subsurface properties suggest a teardrop-shape geometry for the dikes, which has been observed in many theoretical and analog dike models. Additionally, the aspect ratios (thicknesses ...
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